0 in Italian = zero

The number 0 in Italian is "zero" pronounced "DZEH-roh" with stress on the first syllable and a rolled "r".

Quick Answer

Pronunciation

Zero has two syllables: ze-ro

Step by step:

1. "Ze" - Say "DZEH" (like "dz" in "adze" + "eh")
2. The "z" in Italian is pronounced "dz" (voiced)
3. "ro" - Say "roh" with a rolled "r"
4. Put stress on the first syllable: DZEH-roh

The Italian "z":

• Can be voiced "dz" or unvoiced "ts"
• In "zero", it's voiced: "dz"
• Like "ds" sound in "lads"

The rolled "r":

• Trill your tongue
• Like Spanish "r"
• Made by vibrating tongue against roof of mouth

Common mistakes:

• Not voicing the "z" - it should be "dz" not "ts"
• Not rolling the "r"
• Stressing the second syllable - should be ZE-ro
• Pronouncing like English "zero" - it's "DZEH-roh"

The Word "Zero"

Spelling: zero

• Masculine noun: lo zero (uses "lo" because it starts with "z")
• Invariable (doesn't change for plural in most contexts)

Origin: From Arabic "sifr" via Venetian Italian, which then spread to other European languages

Practical Usage

Counting: When counting: zero, uno, due, tre, quattro, cinque...

Phone numbers: Each digit is pronounced separately:

• 0 = zero
• Example: 02 = zero due (Milan area code)

Prices:

• €0 = zero euro
• €0.50 = cinquanta centesimi (zero is omitted)
• Zero rarely appears alone in prices

Times:

• 00:00 = zero / mezzanotte (midnight)
• More commonly: mezzanotte (midnight)
• 24-hour format: le zero = midnight

Dates:

• Zero doesn't appear in dates (days start from 1)

Temperature:

• 0°C = zero gradi
• Below zero = sotto zero
• Above zero = sopra zero

Scores:

• In sports: 3-0 = tre a zero
• Football (soccer): tre a zero

Grammar Notes

Gender: Zero is masculine

• lo zero (the zero)
• uno zero (a zero)
• Uses "lo" not "il" because it starts with "z"

Plural:

• Usually invariable: "gli zeri" (the zeros)
• Not commonly pluralized

With articles:

• lo zero (the zero)
• gli zeri (the zeros - rare)

Common Phrases

partire da zero: Start from zero, start from scratch

azzerare: To reset to zero, to zero out

zero assoluto: Absolute zero (temperature)

ridurre a zero: To reduce to zero

temperatura sotto zero: Temperature below zero

è uno zero: He/she is a nobody (literally "is a zero")

zero virgola: Zero point (in decimals)

• Example: 0,5 = zero virgola cinque (0.5)

fare zero: To score zero, to fail

Writing Numbers in Italian

Decimals:

• Use comma, not period: 0,5 (not 0.5)
• Read as "zero virgola cinque"

Thousands:

• Use period or space: 1.000 or 1 000 (not 1,000)

Regional Variations

Standard Italian: DZEH-roh Northern Italy: May have slight variations in "r" pronunciation Southern Italy: More emphatic rolled "r" Tuscany: Clear "dz" sound

Overall pronunciation is very consistent across Italy.

Quick Takeaways

• 0 in Italian is zero, pronounced "DZEH-roh"
• Stress on the first syllable
• The "z" is voiced: "dz" (not "ts")
• Roll the "r"
• Masculine: lo zero (uses "lo" not "il")
• Use comma for decimals: 0,5
• "Partire da zero" = start from scratch
• In sports scores: tre a zero = 3-0

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If you're traveling in Italy, TravelNum shows you how numbers are pronounced in Italian.