A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "A half" in Italian
Learn to say 'a half' in Italian for fractions, time, and quantities. Essential for everyday conversations.
un mezzo
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Italian TTS · 0:01
Use this when referring to half of something, like 'un mezzo chilo di mele' (half a kilo of apples) or 'un mezzo bicchiere di vino' (half a glass of wine). It's also common when talking about time, like 'mezz'ora' (half an hour), though 'un mezzo' is less common for time itself.
Alternatives
- la metàUse when referring to 'the half' or 'half of it'.
- mezzaUsed as an adjective before feminine nouns, like 'mezza bottiglia' (half a bottle).
Ways to get it wrong
Confusing 'mezzo' with 'mezzanotte'
'Mezzanotte' specifically means midnight, while 'mezzo' is the general term for half.
Pronouncing the 'z'
The 'z' in 'mezzo' is voiced, like the 's' in 'pleasure' or 'measure'.
A small cultural note
While 'un mezzo' is correct, Italians often use compound words or specific phrases for common half-quantities, like 'mezz'ora' for half an hour or 'mezza porzione' for a half portion.
Frequently asked
How to say half an hour in Italian?
You would say 'mezz'ora'. This is a common contraction where 'mezzo' becomes 'mezz'' before a word starting with a vowel.
When to use 'un mezzo' vs 'la metà'?
'Un mezzo' refers to a quantity of half, like 'half a kilo'. 'La metà' means 'the half' or 'half of something specific', like 'prendo la metà' (I'll take half of it).
Can I say 'un mezzo' for half of a pizza?
You can, but it's more common to say 'mezza pizza' or 'una fetta' (a slice) if you mean a single slice.
