Numbers Above 100
Italian numbers above 100 are generally written as single words (up to 999,999). Key points: cento (100) is invariable, mille (1,000) becomes -mila in the plural, and milione/miliardo are nouns requiring the preposition di.
How It Works
1. Cento (100):
Cento is generally invariable. To multiply it, place the number before it: duecento (200), trecento (300). In modern Italian, it is preferred to keep the final vowel (e.g., centootto for 108), though the 'o' is typically dropped in centottanta (180).
2. Mille (1,000) vs. Mila:
Mille is used for the range from 1,000 to 1,999 (e.g., milleuno). From 2,000 upward, it changes to the suffix -mila: duemila (2,000), diecimila (10,000).
3. Writing Compounds and Elision:
Numbers are written as one continuous word until you reach the millions. Note two important spelling rules:
- Elision: The final vowel of tens (venti, trenta, etc.) is dropped before uno and otto (e.g., centoventuno, duecentotrentotto).
- Accents: If a compound number ends in tre, it requires an acute accent (´): -tré (e.g., ventitré).
4. Milione and Miliardo:
These function as nouns rather than adjectives.
- They require an article: un milione, un miliardo.
- They are written as separate words: due milioni.
- When they are round numbers followed directly by a noun, they require di: un milione di persone. However, if other numbers follow, di is dropped: un milione duecentomila persone.
5. The Billion Trap:
In Italian, un miliardo is 1,000,000,000 (English 'billion'). The word bilione refers to a trillion.
Examples (6)
- Ci sono trecento pagine in questo libro.
There are three hundred pages in this book.
Word by Word: There are three-hundred pages in this book.
Notice that 'trecento' is one word and does not change its ending to match the plural 'pagine'.
- Ho pagato duemila euro per l'affitto.
I paid two thousand euros for the rent.
Word by Word: I have paid two-thousand euro for the rent.
When 1,000 is multiplied, 'mille' becomes the suffix '-mila'.
- L'azienda ha guadagnato cinque milioni di euro.
The company earned five million euros.
Word by Word: The company has earned five millions of euro.
Because 'milioni' is a round number here, we must use 'di' before the object being counted (euro).
- Il premio è di un milione duecentomila euro.
The prize is one million two hundred thousand euros.
Word by Word: The prize is of one million two-hundred-thousand euro.
When a million is followed by other numbers, the preposition 'di' is not used before the noun.
- Siamo nel duemilaventiquattro.
We are in 2024.
Word by Word: We are in the two-thousand-twenty-four.
Years are written as a single continuous word in Italian.
- Ho comprato centottanta grammi di pasta.
I bought one hundred and eighty grams of pasta.
Word by Word: I have bought hundred-eighty grams of pasta.
Note that 'cento' drops its final 'o' in 'centottanta' (180).
Common Mistakes
Using 'un' before cento or mille.
Ho un cento euro.Ho cento euro.In Italian, you never say 'a hundred' or 'one thousand' using 'un'. You simply say 'cento' or 'mille'.
Using 'mille' for multiples of two thousand or more.
Ci sono tremille persone.Ci sono tremila persone.'Mille' is used for the range 1,000 to 1,999 (e.g., milleduecento). For 2,000 and above, you must use the plural form '-mila'.
Using 'di' when a million/billion is followed by other numbers.
Un milione di duecentomila euro.Un milione duecentomila euro.The preposition 'di' is only used when the million or billion is a round number directly preceding the noun. If other numbers follow, 'di' is dropped.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To learn numbers above 100, you first need a solid grasp of the basic cardinal numbers (1-100). You also need to understand how Italian nouns form plurals to handle the change from 'mille' to 'mila', and be familiar with truncation rules to correctly combine numbers ending in vowels with those starting with vowels.
- Cardinal Numbers
Understanding basic numbers from 0 to 100 is essential before learning how to form and compound larger numbers like cento and mille.
Level 1 - Truncation
Compounding numbers above 100 often involves truncation or elision of vowels (e.g., centottanta), which is a core phonetic rule in Italian.
Level 1
Related Patterns
- Ordinal Numbers
Once you know large cardinal numbers, you can learn their ordinal counterparts (e.g., centesimo).
Level 1 - Elision
Explains why 'cento anni' often becomes 'cent'anni' in common speech.
Level 1 - di + Possessor'Di' for Possession
Explains the use of 'di' which is required after 'milione' and 'miliardo'.
Level 1
Sources
Practice Numbers Above 100 in Bubblegum
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