How to Count in Italian

By Teresa L. Picarazzi

Learning numbers and counting in Italian isn’t complicated. In fact, the Italians follow many of the same patterns that we do in English. There are a few differences, but it’s when it comes to numbers and counting in Italian, it’s really just a question of memorizing.

In Italian, as in English, there is a unique number from 0 – 16. After that they add the next number to the tens, making one word. So, 17, is the word for 10 followed by the word for 7 and so on.

1 to 19
uno	1
due	2
tre	3
quattro	4
cinque	5
sei	6
sette	7
otto	8
nove	9
dieci	10
undici	11
dodici	12
tredici	13
quattordici	14
quindici	15
sedici	16
diciassette	17
diciotto	18
diciannove	19

For the numbers in the twenties, thirties, forties, and so on, just add the number to the tens, with the exception of when you add a 1 or an 8. For these two numbers, drop the final “–i.” For example, venti (20), ventuno (21), ventidue (22), venticinque (25), ventotto (28). See? It’s not ventiuno or ventiotto.

20 to 99
venti	20
ventuno	21
ventidue	22
trenta	30
trentuno	31
quaranta	40
quarantuno	41
cinquanta	50
sessanta	60
settanta	70
ottanta	80
novanta	90

When you add the tre, the -e takes an accent: ventitrè.

Larger numbers in Italian follow the same formula.

100 and Higher
100	cento
101	centuno
102	centodue
150	centocinquanta
1,000	mille
2,000	duemila

In Italian, large numbers are said in the same order that we use for English. For example, 1916 would be 1916 (millenovecentosedici) (literally: one thousand, nine hundred, and sixteen).

The following phrases can help you when talking about numbers.

Quanti anni hai? (How old are you?)
Ho ventitrè anni. (I’m 23 years old.)
Quanto viene? (How much does it come to?)
Sei euro sessanta. (6 euros and 60 cents.)
Quanto è per una camerasingola? (How much is it for a single room?)
Centoventi euro. (120 Euros)

How to Count in Italian

Italian For Dummies Audio Set