5. Numbers and Counting in Italian

Numbers and Counting in Italian

Numbers are one of the first things you’ll need to learn when starting a new language. In Italian, numbers are quite logical and follow specific patterns, making it easier for beginners to grasp. Here’s a guide to help you learn how to count and use numbers in Italian.

1. Numbers 1 to 10

Let’s begin with the numbers from 1 to 10, as these are foundational and used in many situations.

• 1 = uno

• 2 = due

• 3 = tre

• 4 = quattro

• 5 = cinque

• 6 = sei

• 7 = sette

• 8 = otto

• 9 = nove

• 10 = dieci

2. Numbers 11 to 20

These numbers are all a bit irregular but follow a clear pattern once you get to know them. In Italian, the numbers 11 to 16 end in -dici (similar to “teen” in English), while the numbers 17 to 19 follow a similar form to the tens, with a slight modification.

• 11 = undici

• 12 = dodici

• 13 = tredici

• 14 = quattordici

• 15 = quindici

• 16 = sedici

• 17 = diciassette

• 18 = diciotto

• 19 = diciannove

• 20 = venti

3. Numbers 21 to 29

After 20, Italian numbers follow a very simple pattern. To form numbers 21-29, simply combine venti (20) with the digits 1-9, but drop the i from venti before a vowel.

• 21 = ventuno

• 22 = ventidue

• 23 = ventitre

• 24 = ventiquattro

• 25 = venticinque

• 26 = ventisei

• 27 = ventisette

• 28 = ventotto

• 29 = ventinove

4. Numbers 30 to 100

Once you learn the first twenty numbers, you can start combining them with tens. For numbers 30 and beyond, the pattern is easy to follow, with the tens ending in -anta (like trenta for 30).

• 30 = trenta

• 40 = quaranta

• 50 = cinquanta

• 60 = sessanta

• 70 = settanta

• 80 = ottanta

• 90 = novanta

• 100 = cento

For numbers in between, you simply add the unit number after the tens. Just like in English, you drop the "and" when saying these numbers.

• 31 = trentuno

• 42 = quarantadue

• 53 = cinquantatré

• 64 = sessantaquattro

• 75 = settantacinque

• 86 = ottantasei

• 97 = novantasette

5. Numbers 101 and Beyond

Now that you understand the basics, you can continue with larger numbers. Italian follows a straightforward pattern when counting beyond 100.

• 101 = cento uno

• 150 = centocinquanta

• 200 = duecento

• 300 = trecento

• 500 = cinquecento

• 1,000 = mille

• 1,001 = mille uno

• 2,000 = duemila

• 10,000 = diecimila

• 100,000 = centomila

• 1,000,000 = un milione

Note that for numbers like 1,000, 2,000, and beyond, Italian uses the same root for the number, but in the case of 1,000, there is no plural form (i.e., it stays as mille). Similarly, milione becomes milioni when plural (i.e., milioni di persone means “millions of people”).

6. Ordinal Numbers (First, Second, Third, etc.)

Italian also has ordinal numbers, which are used for ordering things (e.g., first, second, third). Here’s a list of the first few ordinal numbers:

• 1st = primo/a (use primo for masculine nouns and prima for feminine nouns)

• 2nd = secondo/a

• 3rd = terzo/a

• 4th = quarto/a

• 5th = quinto/a

• 6th = sesto/a

• 7th = settimo/a

• 8th = ottavo/a

• 9th = nono/a

• 10th = decimo/a

In general, the pattern is:
-imo for masculine and -ima for feminine, except for numbers that end in -o, like primo or terzo.

7. Special Numbers and Fractions

Some other useful numbers include:

• Half = mezzo (for masculine) / mezza (for feminine)

• Quarter = quarto/a

• Third = terzo/a

• Two-thirds = due terzi

8. Using Numbers in Dates, Time, and Other Contexts

• Dates: To say the day of the month, use the number followed by di (of).

  • Example: Il primo di marzo = The first of March

  • Example: Il venti di maggio = The twentieth of May

• Time: To tell time, use the numbers for hours and minutes.

  • Example: Sono le due = It’s two o’clock

  • Example: Sono le cinque e mezzo = It’s five thirty

  • mezzogiorno = noon

  • mezzanotte = midnight

Conclusion

Italian numbers are very regular and follow clear patterns, making them easy to learn once you understand the structure. From the basics of uno to dieci, to higher numbers like mille and milione, you can build up your Italian number skills quickly.

The key is to practice and familiarize yourself with the simple rules that govern counting in Italian, and soon you'll be able to count, tell time, talk about dates, and use numbers in daily conversation without any trouble. Buona fortuna (good luck)!