Uno, due, tre
/ˈu.no ˈdu.e ˈtre/word by word
To say one, two, three in Italian, use Uno, due, tre.
Uno, due, tre! is the common count to start a race, a countdown or an action done together.
What does it mean word for word?
uno means one, due means two and tre means three.
How does it change in a sentence?
uno is the form used when counting or when the number stands alone. Before a noun it changes to match the noun, so it is not used in this full form in front of most words.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /ˈu.no ˈdu.e ˈtre/, five syllables. due has two syllables.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Say both vowels in due. It has two syllables, not one.
Did you know?
- In Italian, the number uno is often used as a pronoun to mean 'someone' or 'one' in a general sense, such as in the phrase uno non sa mai meaning 'one never knows'.
- The number uno is a linguistic survivor of the Old Latin word oinos, which is a distant relative of the English word 'one'.
- Italian has a specific word for 'a couple' called coppia, but when referring to exactly two of something in a casual way, Italians often use the phrase un paio meaning 'a pair'.
Examples in context
- Ho tre libriI have three books
- Ho uno zaino nuovoI have one new backpack
- Ho due bicchieriI have two glasses
- Ho due amicheI have two female friends
- Uno, due, tre, e via!One, two, three, and go!
- Conta fino a tre: uno, due, tre.Count up to three: one, two, three.
Example conversation
Matteo and Chiara are starting a quick race.
- MatteoPronti per la corsa?Ready for the race?
- ChiaraSì, dai il via!Yes, give the signal!
- MatteoUno, due, tre, parte!One, two, three, go!
- ChiaraCorri veloce, Matteo!Run fast, Matteo!
