It became a way for men to praise their mothers, wives, or daughters—and interestingly, for women to praise one another. Unlike some Italian compliments that focus on physical beauty ( che bellezza !) or fleeting charm, “106” focuses on .
Why the correction from 100 to 106? This is where history meets numerology. The Alpini are famous for their official motto: “Di qui non si passa” (“None shall pass”), but more relevant is the internal structure of their classic marching song. Another theory states that the Alpini regiment has a traditional chant counting off soldiers: “Uno, due, tre… cento, centouno, centodue, centosei…” The number 106 was a rallying cry—a peak of energy. To say someone is worth 106 was to say they were worth the best of the corps, plus the spiritual energy of the mountains. What began as a wartime legend slowly trickled into everyday Italian vernacular. By the 1950s and 60s, during Italy’s economic boom and the rise of commedia all’italiana (comedy Italian-style), the phrase shifted from a military compliment to a domestic one. per una come lei ce ne voglion 106
She will understand. And if she doesn’t, now you have the story to tell her. Do you have a “106” woman in your life? Share this article with her—and let her know that the math is finally on her side. It became a way for men to praise
In the vast, poetic, and often brutally honest landscape of the Italian language, certain phrases carry a weight far beyond their literal translation. They are time capsules of culture, wit, and social nuance. One such phrase, heard in piazzas, family dinners, and regional films, is the enigmatic and slightly mathematical declaration: “Per una come lei ce ne vogliono 106.” This is where history meets numerology
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