primo

first

adjective PREE-moh Common

Origin: Latin primus (first)

Usage Note

Primo functions as both an ordinal adjective and a noun. As a noun it means 'the first course' at an Italian meal — il primo is typically pasta or risotto, distinct from il secondo (the main course). It inflects normally: prima, primi, prime. In dates, Italian uses primo only for the first day of the month: il primo maggio (May 1st); all other dates use cardinals.

Examples

"È il primo giorno di scuola."

Natural Translation

It is the first day of school.

Related Words

Explore Italian by topic

ItalianNow

Ti Amo vs Ti Voglio Bene: I Love You in Italian

Ti amo is romantic love; ti voglio bene is tender affection for family and close friends. Here's exactly who to say each phrase to in Italian.

June 5, 2026 5 min read

ItalianNow

Italian Numbers 1 to 100: Count Like a Local

Learn Italian numbers 1 to 100 by mastering 0-20, the tens, and 3 spelling rules so you can generate any number from ventuno to novantanove on demand.

June 5, 2026 5 min read

ItalianNow

Italian Hand Gestures: Meanings & When to Use

Italian hand gestures decoded: what the pinched fingers, cheek screw, and chin flick mean, which ones are safe to use, and the one gesture to never make.

June 5, 2026 6 min read

ItalianNow

Italian Articles: Il, Lo, La, I, Gli, Le Explained

Italian has seven words for 'the' — il, lo, la, i, gli, le — but it's two questions, not seven cases. Master gender, sound, and the lo/gli rule fast.

June 5, 2026 7 min read