Italian Phrase
Massime sui 10 gradi.
Meaning
Literally ‘Maximum on the 10 degrees’, this phrase is used to say that something reaches its highest value when the temperature is around 10 °C. It often appears in weather forecasts, agricultural advice, or technical specifications.
When to use
Use this sentence when you want to describe a limit that is reached at a specific temperature, such as the optimal temperature for a plant, the point where a machine stops working efficiently, or the highest temperature recorded in a day.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Massimesui10gradi
Massime (plural noun)
‘Massime’ is the plural form of ‘massima’, meaning ‘maximum’ or ‘upper limit’. It is a feminine noun, so adjectives agree in gender and number.
sui (preposition + article)
‘sui’ = ‘su’ (on/about) + definite article ‘i’ (the plural masculine). Used before a masculine plural noun like ‘gradi’.
10 (cardinal number)
Numbers are placed before the noun they quantify; ‘10’ is read as ‘dieci’.
gradi (plural noun)
‘Gradi’ is the plural of ‘grado’, meaning ‘degree’ (temperature, angle, etc.).
🗨In Conversation
Qual è la temperatura ideale per la crescita del pomodoro?
What is the ideal temperature for tomato growth?
Le massime sui 10 gradi, poi la pianta inizia a soffrire.
The maximum is around 10 °C, after that the plant starts to suffer.
✕Common Mistakes
Massimo sui 10 gradi.
‘Massimo’ is singular; you need the plural ‘massime’ when referring to multiple maximum values or a range.
Massime sul 10 gradi.
The article must agree with the plural noun ‘gradi’; use ‘sui’ (su + i) not ‘sul’ (su + il).
Massime sui 10 gradi.
When writing numbers in formal Italian, spell them out (dieci) unless you are using numerals for brevity; the phrase is clearer as ‘dieci gradi’.
↔Alternatives
Il massimo è a 10 gradi.
The maximum is at 10 degrees.
Il picco si verifica a 10 gradi.
The peak occurs at 10 degrees.
Raggiunge il massimo intorno ai 10 gradi.
It reaches the maximum around 10 degrees.
Cultural Tip
In Italian weather reports, temperatures are usually given in Celsius, and the phrase ‘massime’ often appears in the context of daily high temperatures (‘le massime di oggi’). When talking about plants or food, Italians are very precise about temperature ranges, so using ‘sui 10 gradi’ signals a scientific or culinary nuance.