The foundation numbers. Learn these by heart first. | Number | Italian | |--------|----------| | 0 | zero | | 1 | uno | | 2 | due | | 3 | tre | | 4 | quattro | | 5 | cinque | | 6 | sei | | 7 | sette | | 8 | otto | | 9 | nove | | 10 | dieci |
The teens have a recognizable pattern. Most are formed by combining the unit + *dici* (from dieci), but the order varies: | Number | Italian | Pattern | |--------|---------|--------| | 11 | undici | un + dici | | 12 | dodici | do + dici | | 13 | tredici | tre + dici | | 14 | quattordici | quattro + dici | | 15 | quindici | quin + dici | | 16 | sedici | se + dici | | 17 | diciassette | dici + a + sette | | 18 | diciotto | dici + otto | | 19 | diciannove | dici + a + nove | Note: 17, 18, 19 flip the order (dieci comes first). 11 and 12 are irregular.
The decades (multiples of ten) must be memorised: | Number | Italian | |--------|----------| | 20 | venti | | 30 | trenta | | 40 | quaranta | | 50 | cinquanta | | 60 | sessanta | | 70 | settanta | | 80 | ottanta | | 90 | novanta | | 100 | cento | Note the pattern for 30–90: the number root + *-anta* (trenta, quaranta, cinquanta, sessanta, settanta, ottanta, novanta).
To form numbers like 21, 32, 45, combine the decade + unit: - venti + uno = **ventuno** (the final vowel of venti drops) - venti + otto = **ventotto** (the final vowel of venti drops) - trenta + uno = **trentuno** (the final vowel of trenta drops) - trenta + otto = **trentotto** (the final vowel drops) **The rule:** When the unit begins with a vowel (uno, otto), drop the final vowel of the decade. For all other units, simply join the words: - venti + due = **ventidue** - venti + tre = **ventitre** - trenta + due = **trentadue** - quaranta + cinque = **quarantacinque** Important: **Ventitre** (23) is often written **ventitré** with an accent to distinguish it.
| Number | Italian | Note | |--------|---------|------| | 21 | ventuno | elision: venti + uno | | 22 | ventidue | | | 23 | ventitre / ventitré | | | 24 | ventiquattro | | | 25 | venticinque | | | 26 | ventisei | | | 27 | ventisette | | | 28 | ventotto | elision: venti + otto | | 29 | ventinove | | | 30 | trenta | | | 31 | trentuno | elision: trenta + uno | | 32 | trentadue | | | 38 | trentotto | elision: trenta + otto | | 40 | quaranta | | | 41 | quarantuno | elision | | 48 | quarantotto | elision | | 50 | cinquanta | |
| Number | Italian | |--------|----------| | 51 | cinquantuno | | 52 | cinquantadue | | 58 | cinquantotto | | 60 | sessanta | | 61 | sessantuno | | 65 | sessantacinque | | 68 | sessantotto | | 70 | settanta | | 71 | settantuno | | 77 | settantasette | | 78 | settantotto | | 80 | ottanta | | 81 | ottantuno | | 88 | ottantotto | | 90 | novanta | | 91 | novantuno | | 99 | novantanove |
The number **uno** (one) agrees with the gender of the noun that follows, just like the indefinite article: - **un** libro — one book (masculine) - **una** penna — one pen (feminine) - **un'** amica — one friend (feminine before vowel) In compound numbers, **uno** at the end does not change: - Ho ventuno anni. — I am 21 years old. - Ci sono trentuno studenti. — There are 31 students. However, when counting abstractly, use **uno**: uno, due, tre…
Numbers appear constantly in Italian life: **Age:** Quanti anni hai? — How old are you? Ho venticinque anni. — I am 25 years old. **Prices:** Quanto costa? — How much does it cost? Costa tre euro. — It costs 3 euros. Costa novantanove centesimi. — It costs 99 cents. **Phone numbers:** In Italian, phone numbers are often read in pairs: 02 34 56 78 → zero due, trentaquattro, cinquantasei, settantotto **Addresses:** Vivo in via Roma, numero quarantadue. — I live at 42 Via Roma. **Time:** Sono le otto e venticinque. — It is 8:25.
**Cento** means one hundred. It does not take an article: - Ho cento euro. — I have 100 euros. - Ci sono cento persone. — There are 100 people. Note: Do NOT say *un cento* — just **cento**. Beyond 100 (for reference): - 101 = centouno - 200 = duecento - 1000 = mille
- **Quattro**: the *qu* is pronounced like English 'kw' - **Cinque**: the *c* before *i* sounds like 'ch' — 'CHIN-kweh' - **Sei**: rhymes with English 'say' - **Sette**: the double *t* is held longer — 'SET-teh' - **Otto**: the double *t* — 'OT-toh' - **Undici**: stress on first syllable — 'OON-dee-chee' - **Diciassette**: dee-CHAS-set-teh - **Venti**: 'VEN-tee' — do not say 'ven-TEE' - **Quaranta**: kwa-RAN-ta
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Numbers 11–20
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Numbers 81–90
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Numbers 91–100
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