Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Pronunciation guide
Below each Italian word or phrase in this topic, you will
find a pronunciation guide in italics. Read it as if it were
English and you should be understood, but remember
that it is only a guide and for the best results you
should listen to and mimic native speakers. Some
Italian sounds are different from those in English, so
take note of how the letters below are pronounced.
a
like a in car
ai
like i in mile
ao, au
like ow in cow
c
before a, o, and u, like k in kite
before i and e, like ch in church
cc
like ch in church
ch
like k in keep
e
like e in pet
ei
like ay in day
g
before a, o, and u, like g in get
before i and e, like j in jam
gh
like g in got
gli
like lli in million
gn
like ni in onion
h
silent
i
like ee in keep
o
like o in pot
oi
like oy in boy
qu
like qu in quick
r
rolled
s
like s in see or z in zoo
sc
before a, o, and u, like sk in skip
before i or e, like sh in ship
u
like oo in boot
z
like ts in pets, or ds in loads
