Lesson 6.1: Numbers 0–20 – The Foundation of Counting

Lesson 6.1: Numbers 0–20 – The Foundation of Counting 🔢 #

Welcome to the world of Italian numbers! In this lesson, you’ll master the basics and set the stage for navigating everything from ordering one espresso (un caffè) to counting how many gelatos Geoff has eaten (spoiler: it’s more than three).

What You’ll Learn #

By the end of this lesson, you’ll be able to:

  • Count from 0 to 20 in Italian.
  • Recognize Italian numbers in everyday situations.
  • Use numbers to impress your Italian-speaking friends (or Viktor, who loves precision).

Numbers 0–20 #

Number Italian English Pronunciation
0 Zero Zero ZEH-roh
1 Uno One OO-noh
2 Due Two DOO-eh
3 Tre Three TREH
4 Quattro Four KWAH-troh
5 Cinque Five CHEEN-kweh
6 Sei Six SEH-ee
7 Sette Seven SEHT-teh
8 Otto Eight OHT-toh
9 Nove Nine NOH-veh
10 Dieci Ten DYAY-chee
11 Undici Eleven OON-dee-chee
12 Dodici Twelve DOH-dee-chee
13 Tredici Thirteen TREH-dee-chee
14 Quattordici Fourteen KWAHT-tohr-dee-chee
15 Quindici Fifteen KWEEN-dee-chee
16 Sedici Sixteen SEH-dee-chee
17 Diciassette Seventeen DEE-chah-SEHT-teh
18 Diciotto Eighteen DEE-CHOHT-toh
19 Diciannove Nineteen DEE-chah-NOH-veh
20 Venti Twenty VEHN-tee

How It Works #

  1. Key Patterns:

    • Numbers 11–16 are regular additions: dieci + uno → undici.
    • Numbers 17–19 contract: dici + sette → diciassette.

  2. Cultural Note: Italians love numbers! Whether it’s counting pasta portions or discussing soccer scores, numbers are everywhere.

Key Phrases #

  1. Quanti anni hai? (How old are you?)

    • Response: Ho diciotto anni. (I am 18 years old.)

  2. Quante pizze vuoi? (How many pizzas do you want?)

    • Response: Ne voglio due. (I want two.)

  3. Quanto costa? (How much does it cost?)

    • Response: Costa dieci euro. (It costs 10 euros.)

Example Dialogue #

Scenario: Geoff and Viktor are at a bakery.

  • Geoff: Quanti biscotti ci sono in questa scatola? (How many cookies are in this box?)
  • Viktor: Ci sono venti biscotti. Ma penso che ne mancheranno presto! (There are 20 cookies. But I think some will be missing soon!)

Practice Time #

Try counting out loud and using these numbers in practical situations:

  1. Count from 0 to 20 in Italian.
  2. Imagine you’re ordering food and ask for tre panini (three sandwiches).
  3. Ask a friend how old they are in Italian.

Quick Tips #

  1. Repeat Often: Numbers are easier to remember when you use them daily.
  2. Practice with Friends: Challenge someone to count in Italian with you.
  3. Have Fun: Numbers are the building blocks of your Italian adventure!

Ready for More? #

Head over to Exercise 6.1: Counting Practice to test your skills!

✨ Bravo! You’re one step closer to mastering Italian numbers. Buona fortuna! 🌟