1 in Italian = uno / una

The number 1 in Italian is "uno" (masculine) pronounced "OO-noh" or "una" (feminine) pronounced "OO-nah". Italian numbers agree with gender.

Quick Answer

Pronunciation

Uno (masculine):

• Two syllables: u-no
• "OO-noh" (stress on first syllable)
• The "u" is pure "oo" sound
• Roll the "n" slightly

Una (feminine):

• Two syllables: u-na
• "OO-nah" (stress on first syllable)
• Same "u" sound as uno
• The "a" is clear "ah"

Common mistakes:

• Saying "you-no" - it should be "OO-noh"
• Not making the "u" pure enough
• Using "uno" with feminine nouns
• Stressing the second syllable

Gender Agreement

Italian numbers 1 change based on the gender of the noun:

Masculine nouns - use "uno" or "un":

• uno studente (one student - before s+consonant, z, ps, gn, x, y)
• un libro (one book - before most consonants)
• un amico (one friend - before vowels)

Feminine nouns - use "una" or "un'":

• una ragazza (one girl - before consonants)
• un'amica (one friend - before vowels, with apostrophe)

Un vs Uno vs Una vs Un'

Masculine:

• un = before most consonants (un libro, un gatto)
• uno = before s+consonant, z, gn, ps (uno studente, uno zaino)

Feminine:

• una = before consonants (una casa, una penna)
• un' = before vowels (un'amica, un'ora)

Practical Usage

Counting: When counting: uno, due, tre, quattro, cinque... (Uses masculine form by default)

Phone numbers:

• 1 = uno
• Example: 01 = zero uno

Prices:

• €1 = un euro (masculine)
• €1.50 = un euro e cinquanta

Times:

• 1:00 = l'una (feminine - "ora" is feminine)
• 13:00 = le tredici (1 PM in 24-hour format)

Dates:

• 1st = primo (NOT "uno")
• January 1st = il primo gennaio
• For "1st" use "primo/prima", not "uno/una"

Ages:

• 1 year old = un anno (masculine - "anno" is masculine)

Uno vs Primo

Important distinction:

• uno/una = the number 1 (cardinal)
• primo/prima = first (ordinal)

Examples:

• "Ho un gatto" = I have one cat (quantity)
• "È il mio primo gatto" = It's my first cat (order)
• "Il primo gennaio" = January 1st (ordinal)

The Article vs. The Number

Uno/una can be:

1. An indefinite article (a/an)
2. The number one

Context makes it clear:

• "Ho un libro" = I have a book (article)
• "Ho solo un libro" = I have only one book (number)

Common Phrases

uno per uno: One by one

uno alla volta: One at a time

l'uno e l'altro: One and the other, both

né l'uno né l'altro: Neither one nor the other

uno di questi giorni: One of these days

è tutt'uno: It's all the same

fare uno: To make one, score one point

un attimo: One moment

una volta: Once, one time

Grammar Notes

With counters:

• Un uomo (one man)
• Una donna (one woman)
• Un bambino (one child - masculine)
• Una persona (one person - feminine)

21, 31, 41, etc.:

• 21 = ventuno
• 31 = trentuno
• 41 = quarantuno
• The gender agrees with the noun that follows

Quick Takeaways

• 1 = uno (masculine) or una (feminine)
• Pronounced "OO-noh" or "OO-nah"
• Gender agreement is mandatory
• For "1st" use primo/prima, not uno/una
• 1:00 = l'una (ora is feminine)
• Before s+consonant/z: use "uno"
• Before vowels (feminine): use "un'"
• Pure "oo" sound, not "you"

---

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