Words for Measuring in French

Key Measuring Words

French Expression Meaning Example (French) Example (English)
un kilo (de) a kilogram (of) J'achète un kilo de pommes. I buy a kilogram of apples.
une livre (de) a pound (of) Il prend une livre de tomates. He takes a pound of tomatoes.
un demi-kilo (de) half a kilogram (of) Donnez-moi un demi-kilo de fraises. Give me half a kilo of strawberries.
cent grammes (de) 100 grams (of) Je veux cent grammes de fromage. I want 100 grams of cheese.
un morceau (de) a piece (of) Prends un morceau de gâteau. Take a piece of cake.
une tranche (de) a slice (of) Je mange une tranche de pain. I eat a slice of bread.
un paquet (de) a packet/pack (of) J'achète un paquet de biscuits. I buy a packet of cookies.
un bouquet (de) a bunch (of) Elle offre un bouquet de fleurs. She gives a bunch of flowers.
un tas (de) a pile/heap (of) Il y a un tas de vêtements ici. There is a pile of clothes here.
une foule (de) a crowd (of) Une foule de gens attendent. A crowd of people are waiting.
Note: Most of these expressions are followed by "de" + noun (e.g., un kilo de pommes, un paquet de biscuits). "Une livre" in French means "a pound" (about 500g), not "a book" in this context.
Quantities for food

Use "un kilo de", "une livre de", "cent grammes de" for weights.

un kilo de pommes, une livre de tomates, cent grammes de fromage

Pieces and slices

Use "un morceau de" for a piece, "une tranche de" for a slice.

un morceau de gâteau, une tranche de pain

Packets and bunches

Use "un paquet de" for a packet, "un bouquet de" for a bunch.

un paquet de biscuits, un bouquet de fleurs

Exercises

1. Fill in with the correct French measuring word

Use: un kilo, une livre, un demi-kilo, cent grammes, un morceau, une tranche, un paquet, un bouquet, un tas, une foule

2. Rewrite the sentences using the indicated measuring word

3. Translate into French with the correct measuring word

4. Practice: Write Your Own Sentences

Write 3–4 sentences using at least two different French measuring words (un kilo, une livre, un demi-kilo, cent grammes, un morceau, une tranche, un paquet, un bouquet, un tas, une foule). Describe quantities or groups in your daily life.