Numbers and counting
Numeri e conteggio
- Learn to count
- Numbers from 1-100
- Cardinal numbers: the tens
- Large numbers: centinaia, migliaia, milioni
- Cardinal numbers: the basics
This lesson covers Italian cardinal numbers including tens (decine), hundreds (centinaia), thousands (migliaia), and millions (milioni). Learn key words like "contare" (to count), "sommare" (to add), and practice numbers from uno to cento useful in everyday contexts such as shopping and booking tickets.
Vocabulary (25) Share Copied!
Exercises Share Copied!
These exercises can be done together during conversation lessons or as homework.
Exercise 1: Reorder sentences
Instruction: Make correct sentences and translate.
Exercise 2: Match a word
Instruction: Match the translations
Exercise 3: Cluster the words
Instruction: Divide the words into two categories, separating simple numbers from calculation actions.
Numeri semplici
Azioni di calcolo
Exercise 4: Translate and use in a sentence
Instruction: Pick a word, translated and use the word in a sentence or dialogue.
1
Dieci
Ten
2
Settanta
Seventy
3
Ottanta
Eighty
4
Sei
Six
5
Tre
Three
Esercizio 5: Conversation exercise
Istruzione:
- Read the calculation tasks out loud and solve them. (Read the calculation tasks out loud and solve them.)
- Give a calculation task to the others. (Give a calculation task to the others. )
Teaching guidelines +/- 10 minutes
Example phrases:
|
Dieci più due fa dodici. Ten plus two equals twelve. |
|
Dieci meno due uguale otto. Ten minus two equals eight. |
|
Dieci volte due fa venti. Ten times two equals twenty. |
|
Dieci diviso due uguale cinque. Ten devided by two equals five. |
|
Una dozzina è dodici. A dozen is twelve. |
| ... |
Exercise 6: Dialogue Cards
Instruction: Select a situation and practice the conversation with your teacher or fellow students.
Exercise 7: Multiple Choice
Instruction: Choose the correct solution
1. Io _____ fino a cento senza problemi.
(I _____ to one hundred without problems.)2. Tu _____ i numeri rapidamente durante il lavoro.
(You _____ the numbers quickly during work.)3. Lei _____ le parole nella presentazione per essere precisa.
(She _____ the words in the presentation to be precise.)4. Noi _____ i numeri della lista insieme per esercitarci.
(We _____ the numbers on the list together to practice.)Exercise 8: Let's Count Together at the Market
Instruction:
Verb Tables
Contare - To Count
Presente
- (io) conto
- (tu) conti
- (lui/lei) conta
- (noi) contiamo
- (voi) contate
- (loro) contano
Sommare - To Add
Presente
- (io) sommo
- (tu) sommi
- (lui/lei) somma
- (noi) sommiamo
- (voi) sommate
- (loro) sommano
Potere - To Be Able To
Presente
- (io) posso
- (tu) puoi
- (lui/lei) può
- (noi) possiamo
- (voi) potete
- (loro) possono
Exercise 9: Numeri cardinali: le decine
Instruction: Fill in the correct word.
Grammar: Cardinal numbers: the tens
Show translation Show answersnovanta, quarantasetta, ottanta, sessanta, venti, ottantanove, cinquanta, ventuno
Exercise 10: Numeri grandi: centinaia, migliaia, milioni
Instruction: Fill in the correct word.
Grammar: Large numbers: centinaia, migliaia, milioni
Show translation Show answerstre milioni cinquataduemila, centocinquantasette, cinquecentocinquantadue, settecentocinquantaquattro, novemilaquattrocentouno, millenovecentonovantanove, trecentounidici, diecimilacentoventitre
Exercise 11: Numeri cardinali: la base
Instruction: Fill in the correct word.
Grammar: Cardinal numbers: the basics
Show translation Show answersTre, Quindici, Nove, Diciotto, Venti, Otto, Dieci, Tredici
Grammar Share Copied!
It's not the most exciting thing, we admit, but it’s absolutely essential (and we promise it'll pay off)!
A1.4.2 Grammatica
Numeri grandi: centinaia, migliaia, milioni
Large numbers: centinaia, migliaia, milioni
Verb conjugation tables for this lesson Share Copied!
Contare to count Share Copied!
Presente
| Italian | English |
|---|---|
| (io) conto | I count |
| (tu) conti | You count |
| (lui/lei) conta | he/she counts |
| (noi) contiamo | we count |
| (voi) contate | You count |
| (loro) contano | they count |
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Lesson Overview: Numbers and Counting in Italian
This lesson covers the fundamental aspects of Italian cardinal numbers, focusing on counting and using numbers in everyday contexts. You'll learn how to express simple numbers (like uno, due, cinque) as well as larger numbers including decades and hundreds (such as trenta, centinaia), and even thousands and millions (migliaia, milioni). This knowledge is essential for daily conversations, shopping, booking tickets, and ordering food.
Key Topics Covered
- Basic Cardinal Numbers: Numbers from one to one hundred, including special forms for numbers like ventuno (21) and trenta (30).
- Large Numbers: Understanding and using words for hundreds (centinaia), thousands (migliaia), and millions (milioni).
- Common Verbs Related to Counting: Actions such as contare (to count), sommare (to add), sottrarre (to subtract), dividere (to divide), and moltiplicare (to multiply).
Practical Examples
Examples show how to use numbers in real situations:
- "Ci sono ventuno persone nella stanza oggi." (There are twenty-one people in the room today.)
- "Ho comprato cinquanta uova per la festa di domani." (I bought fifty eggs for tomorrow's party.)
- "L'appartamento costa trecentoquarantanove euro al mese in questa zona." (The apartment costs three hundred forty-nine euros per month in this area.)
Dialogues for Real-Life Situations
You will find simulated dialogues to practice numbers in contexts such as:
- Grocery shopping and ordering specific quantities
- Booking movie tickets with numbered seats
- Ordering food for large groups at a restaurant
Verb Conjugation Practice
The lesson includes conjugation exercises focusing on the verb contare (to count) in the present tense, helping you practice sentences such as:
- "Io conto fino a cento senza problemi." (I count to one hundred without problems.)
- "Tu conti i numeri rapidamente durante il lavoro." (You count numbers quickly during work.)
Short Story: Counting at the Market
A brief story provides context with verbs related to counting and calculating, reinforcing vocabulary and grammar.
Instruction vs. Italian Language Notes
In English, numbers are straightforwardly pronounced and written, but in Italian, numbers often combine to form words (e.g., ventuno = 21). Notice how certain verbs related to calculation (contare, sommare) are frequently used to describe processes that are essential beyond just numbers—like counting items or summing totals. This lesson also illustrates typical Italian sentence structure when using numbers, which can differ from English in word order and noun-adjective agreement.
Useful Words and Phrases
- Uno, due, cinque, otto, dieci — basic numbers 1, 2, 5, 8, 10
- Quaranta, quindici, novanta — 40, 15, 90
- Contare — to count
- Sommare — to add
- Sottrarre — to subtract
- Dividere — to divide
- Moltiplicare — to multiply
- Mille grazie — a polite expression meaning "a thousand thanks"
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