There are 5 vowels in Italian, with 7 vowel sounds: A, E (2 sounds), I, O (2 sounds), and U.
"A" sounds like "ah" as in una bananaNotice: about sound
Notice: about sounduna casaNotice: about soundune caneNotice: about soundla dataNotice: about soundla mappaNotice: about sounduna rana
"E" can sound like "eh" as in il gelatoNotice: about sound, or like "ay" as in la neve Notice: about sound Notice: about soundun denteNotice: about sounduna letteraNotice: about soundil neroNotice: about sounduna pera
"I" sounds like "ee" as in una bibitaNotice: about sound Notice: about soundun filoNotice: about soundun missileNotice: about soundun ditoNotice: about sounddei libri
"O" can sound like "oh" as in la fotoNotice: about sound, or like "aw" as in otto (8)Notice: about sound
Notice: about soundil polloNotice: about sounduna boccaNotice: about soundun dito
"U" sounds like "oo" as in un gufoNotice: about sound Notice: about soundun bufaloNotice: about soundun lupoNotice: about sounduna cucina
When two vowels are together, each one is pronounced as in un leone Notice: about sound
Notice: about soundun leoneNotice: about soundun chiodoNotice: about soundil teatroNotice: about soundun bue
"Y" is usually pronounced as in lo yogurt Notice: about sound
The Italian alphabet is the same as English and most of the sounds are the same. Note the exceptions below:
The letters J, K, W, X and Y are only used in foreign language words.
If there is a double consonant, say it more forcefully or for longer.
The letter B is said without blowing air. Put your hand in front of your mouth and say "un basco"Notice: about sound Notice: about soundun bambinoNotice: about sounduna balenaNotice: about sounduna banana
The letter "C" is pronounced like the English "K" as in il caffèNotice: about sound, Unless it is followed by "E" or "i" it is pronounced as "CH" as in la cenaNotice: about sound Notice: about soundun cervoNotice: about soundla cenaNotice: about soundun cetrioloNotice: about soundi ceciNotice: about soundi cereali
The letter "G" is pronounced as in "un gallo"Notice: about sound Unless it is followed by "E" or "i" it is pronounced as in "il gelato"Notice: about sound
The combination "GLI" is pronounced like "lli" in the English word "million": il figlio Notice: about sound Notice: about sounduna famigliaNotice: about soundun coniglioNotice: about soundl'aglio
The combination "GN" is pronounced as "ny" like in the English word canyon: un agnelloNotice: about sound
The letter "H" is always silent.
"R" is always rolled as in il burroNotice: about sound(Roll the r by making the brrrr sound like you are cold, then place the tip of your tongue in the roof of your mouth.)
