1 to 10 Italian Numbers: How to Count in Italian (Audio)

In this lesson, we will be covering 1 to 10 Italian numbers. Knowing how to count is essential for everyday conversations and can be used in various situations, such as shopping, telling time, and making reservations. We will start with numbers 1 to 10 and then move on to larger numbers.

How to Count from 1 to 10 in Italian

1. Uno (OO-noh)

English: “one”
Sentence in Italian: Ho un fratello. (I have one brother.)

2. Due (DOO-eh)

English: “two”
Sentence in Italian: Ho due sorelle. (I have two sisters.)

3. Tre (TREH)

English: “three”
Sentence in Italian: Ho tre gatti. (I have three cats.)

4. Quattro (KWAH-troh)

English: “four”
Sentence in Italian: Ho quattro libri. (I have four books.)

5. Cinque (CHEEN-kweh)

English: “five”
Sentence in Italian: Ho cinque penne. (I have five pens.)

6. Sei (SEH-ee)

English: “six”
Sentence in Italian: Ho sei matite. (I have six pencils.)

7. Sette (SEH-teh)

English: “seven”
Sentence in Italian: Ho sette quaderni. (I have seven notebooks.)

8. Otto (OH-toh)

English: “eight”
Sentence in Italian: Ho otto fiori. (I have eight flowers.)

9. Nove (noh-veh)

English: “nine”
Sentence in Italian: Ho nove sorelle. (I have nine sisters.)

10. Dieci (dye-chee)

English: “ten”
Sentence in Italian: Ho dieci libri. (I have ten books.)

Listen to the numbers and the examples in Italian.

How to Count Numbers Greater than 10

You’re ready to tackle larger numbers once you’ve mastered counting from 1 to 10 in Italian. The good news is that Italian follows a logical pattern for numbers above 10, making it relatively easy to learn.

11-19: Add “-dici” to the root of numbers 1-9 (with some exceptions):
- 11 – undici
- 12 – dodici
- 13 – tredici
- 16 – sedici (not “seidici”)
20-90: Use the tens word followed by the single digit:
- 20 – venti
- 21 – ventuno (note: no ‘i’ at the end of “venti”)
- 22 – ventidue
- 30 – trenta
- 31 – trentuno

Remember, for numbers ending in 1 or 8 (except 11 and 18), the final vowel of the tens is dropped: ventuno (21), ventotto (28), not “ventiuno” or “ventiotto”.

Pro Tip: Practice counting by tens (dieci, venti, trenta…) to quickly expand your number vocabulary!

In conclusion, understanding the basics of counting 1 to 10 Italian numbers can significantly improve your comprehension and fluency. With practice and repetition, you’ll be able to count in Italian with ease and confidence.

Remember to note the nuances and differences in the Italian number system, as they can significantly aid your ability to understand and communicate with native speakers.