numero uno
/ˈnu.me.ro ˈu.no/word by word
The English phrase "number one" is translated into Italian as numero uno.
numero uno is used to describe the best or most important person or thing within a group. It can refer to someone's specific rank in a competition or their general status as the top person in a particular context.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is a literal translation of "number one", where numero means "number" and uno means "one".
How does it change in a sentence?
When you are referring to a specific person as "the number one", you will typically use the definite article il before the phrase, forming il numero uno.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈnu.me.ro ˈu.no/. It has 5 syllables, with the stress on the 1st syllable.
Did you know?
- While numero uno is common, Italians often use the phrase il top in casual conversation to describe the very best person or thing in a group.
- In Italian sports journalism, instead of just saying il numero uno, commentators often use the term capoclasse to refer to the person at the top of a league table.
- The word uno shares a distant ancestor with the English word 'one', both tracing back to the Proto-Indo-European root *h₁óynos.
Examples in context
- Sei il numero uno!You are number one!This sentence is useful for showing how to call someone "number one" using numero uno.Tatoeba #1633113 by Guybrush88, translation #1481940 by yethay
- Sono sempre stato il numero uno.I've always been number one.This sentence is useful for expressing that one has always been "number one" using numero uno.Tatoeba #1207380 by Guybrush88, translation #1181146 by marcelostockle
- Sei il numero uno ai miei occhi.You're number one in my eyes.This sentence is useful for saying someone is "number one" in your eyes using numero uno.Tatoeba #11571800 by Nuel, translation #11571798 by Nuel
- Il suo progetto è stato valutato il numero uno del trimestre.His project has been rated as the number one of the quarter.
- Marco è il primo nella sua squadra.Marco is the number one in his team.
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chiara and Alessandro are discussing their favorite Italian football player.
- ChiaraSecondo me, lui è il numero uno.In my opinion, he is number one.
- AlessandroNon sono d'accordo, c'è un altro giocatore migliore.I don't agree, there is another better player.
- ChiaraImpossibile, per tecnica è sicuramente il numero uno.Impossible, for technique he is definitely number one.
- AlessandroForse hai ragione, Chiara.Maybe you are right, Chiara.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (numero, uno) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries numero, uno, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
