dieci
/ˈdjɛ.t͡ʃi/
In Italian, ten is dieci.
The word dieci is the cardinal number for ten, used when counting. It can also function as a noun to refer to a denomination of currency with a value of ten.
Meaning: the cardinal number occurring after 9 and before 11 (num)
Which one should you use?
While dieci is the standard way to say the number ten, you may use decina when you want to indicate a group or collection of ten items or people.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The number dieci is invariant, which means it does not change its form to match gender or number. When using it to tell the time, it is preceded by the feminine plural article le because it refers to le ore (the hours).
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /ˈdjɛ.tʃi/. It has 2 syllables, with the stress on the 1st syllable.
Did you know?
- The number dieci is the root of decima, a word that refers to both a 'tenth' and the traditional religious 'tithe'.
- To describe something as perfect or flawless, Italians often give it a score of dieci, similar to the 'perfect ten' in gymnastics.
- While dieci is used for counting, the term decina is specifically used for a group of ten, similar to how 'dozen' is used for twelve in English.
Examples in context
- Io ho dieci biro.I have ten pens.This sentence shows how to use dieci when counting objects.Tatoeba #3835752 by Guybrush88, translation #370732 by saeb
- Ho dieci di essi.I have ten of them.This sentence demonstrates how to use dieci when referring to a specific quantity of items.Tatoeba #9742746 by Guybrush88, translation #9249120 by DJ_Saidez
- Sono già le dieci.It's ten already.This sentence illustrates how to use dieci when telling the time.Tatoeba #12305766 by Guybrush88, translation #12305333 by Miktsoanit
- Ci sono dieci persone in questa sala.There are ten people in this room.
- Abbiamo venduto una decina di biglietti.We sold about ten tickets.
- 719 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofia and Alessandro are talking about a cake.
- SofiaQuanti biscotti servono per la torta?How many biscuits are needed for the cake?
- AlessandroNe servono esattamente dieci.Exactly ten are needed.
- SofiaNe abbiamo solo cinque in cucina.We only have five in the kitchen.
- AlessandroAllora ne compro altri dieci.Then I will buy ten more.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “ten” translations and entries dieci, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
