Italian Phrase
Oggi è il primo maggio.
Meaning
This sentence identifies the current date as May 1st. In Italian, while most days of the month use cardinal numbers (two, three, etc.), the first day of the month is uniquely expressed using the ordinal number 'primo'.
When to use
Use this phrase to state the date or to acknowledge the public holiday known as International Workers' Day. It is a common way to begin a conversation about plans for the holiday.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Oggièilprimomaggio
Ordinal Numbers for Dates
Unlike English which uses ordinals for all dates (1st, 2nd, 3rd), Italian only uses the ordinal 'primo' for the first day of the month.
Months and Capitalization
Names of months like 'maggio' are common nouns in Italian and are not capitalized.
🗨In Conversation
Che giorno è oggi?
What day is it today?
Oggi è il primo maggio.
Today is the first of May.
✕Common Mistakes
Oggi è l'uno maggio.
In Italian, the first of the month must use the ordinal 'primo' rather than the cardinal 'uno'.
Oggi è il primo Maggio.
Months in Italian are generally not capitalized unless they appear at the beginning of a sentence.
↔Alternatives
È la festa dei lavoratori.
It is Workers' Day.
Siamo al primo maggio.
We are at the first of May.
Cultural Tip
May 1st is a significant national holiday in Italy called 'Festa dei Lavoratori'. It is famously marked by a massive free concert in Rome's Piazza di San Giovanni and is a day when most Italians enjoy outdoor picnics or 'scampagnate' with friends.