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Numbers & Time in Italian
Numbers and time in Italian are easy to master with practice. These 35 essential phrases include counting and clock expressions — with native audio.
Practice in the LingoSwipe App →Each phrase includes native audio, an English translation, and cultural notes where relevant. Tap any play button to listen.
🔢 Numeri da 1 a 10 — Numbers 1–10
1.
Uno.
One (1)
'Uno' (masc.) / 'una' (fem.). Before vowel: 'un'amica'.
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2.
Due.
Two (2)
'Sono le due' = it's two o'clock.
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3.
Tre.
Three (3)
When combined: 'ventitré' (23) takes an accent; alone it does not.
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4.
Quattro.
Four (4)
Double consonants in Italian are noticeably held — 'KWAT-tro'.
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5.
Cinque.
Five (5)
'C' before i/e = 'ch' sound. 'Cinque' = 'CHIN-kweh'.
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6.
Sei.
Six (6)
'Sei' also means 'you are' in Italian — same spelling, different context.
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7.
Sette.
Seven (7)
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8.
Otto.
Eight (8)
'Otto' is also an Italian name — historically for an eighth child or October birth.
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9.
Nove.
Nine (9)
November = 'Novembre' — from 'nove'. Once the 9th month in the Roman calendar.
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10.
Dieci.
Ten (10)
December = 'Dicembre' — from 'dieci'. Once the 10th month in the Roman calendar.
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💯 Numeri Più Grandi — Bigger Numbers
11.
Undici.
Eleven (11)
11–16 are irregular: undici, dodici, tredici, quattordici, quindici, sedici.
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12.
Dodici.
Twelve (12)
A dozen = 'una dozzina' — handy at Italian markets.
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13.
Venti.
Twenty (20)
21 = 'ventuno' (not ventiuno) — 'i' drops before uno and otto.
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14.
Trenta.
Thirty (30)
31 = 'trentuno', 38 = 'trentotto' — vowel drop before uno and otto.
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15.
Cinquanta.
Fifty (50)
Pattern: quaranta, cinquanta, sessanta, settanta, ottanta, novanta.
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16.
Cento.
One hundred (100)
Italian art history: Quattrocento (1400s), Cinquecento (1500s), Seicento (1600s).
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17.
Mille.
One thousand (1,000)
Plural is irregular: 'mille' → 'mila'. 2,000 = 'duemila'.
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18.
Quanto costa?
How much does it cost?
At markets and some shops, bargaining is acceptable and expected.
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19.
Costa dieci euro.
It costs ten euros.
'Euro' has no plural form in Italian — always 'dieci euro'.
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20.
Due biglietti, per favore.
Two tickets, please.
Book museum tickets in advance in Italy — queues can be very long.
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🕐 L'Orario — Telling the Time
21.
Che ore sono?
What time is it?
For 1 o'clock: 'Che ora è?' All other hours: 'Che ore sono?'
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22.
Sono le tre.
It's three o'clock.
1 o'clock = 'È l'una.' All others = 'Sono le...'
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23.
Sono le tre e mezza.
It's half past three. (3:30)
'Mezza' is feminine to agree with 'ora' (hour). Also correct: 'mezzo'.
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24.
Sono le tre e un quarto.
It's quarter past three. (3:15)
3:45 = 'Sono le quattro meno un quarto' (four minus a quarter).
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25.
Di mattina.
In the morning.
Italy uses both 12-hour and 24-hour clocks depending on context.
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26.
Di pomeriggio.
In the afternoon.
Evening: 'di sera.' Many Italian shops close for 'pausa pranzo' in the afternoon.
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27.
Oggi.
Today.
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28.
Domani.
Tomorrow.
'Domani mattina' (tomorrow morning), 'domani sera' (tomorrow evening).
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📅 I Giorni della Settimana — Days of the Week
29.
Lunedì.
Monday.
Named after the moon (luna). Stress on the last syllable: lu-ne-DÌ.
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30.
Martedì.
Tuesday.
Named after Mars (Marte). Stress: mar-te-DÌ.
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31.
Mercoledì.
Wednesday.
Named after Mercury (Mercurio). Stress: mer-co-le-DÌ.
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32.
Giovedì.
Thursday.
Named after Jupiter (Giove). Stress: gio-ve-DÌ.
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33.
Venerdì.
Friday.
Named after Venus (Venere). Many Italians traditionally eat fish on Fridays.
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34.
Sabato.
Saturday.
Stress on first syllable: SA-ba-to. No accent needed.
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35.
Domenica.
Sunday.
From Latin 'Dominica.' Also a common Italian woman's name.
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