Italian Alphabet Pronunciation Guide

January 24, 2026

Italian is known for its beautiful, musical quality - and once you learn the pronunciation rules, you'll be able to read any Italian word correctly. The language is remarkably phonetic, meaning the spelling tells you exactly how to pronounce it.

Let's explore the key sounds that make Italian unique:

1. The Italian Alphabet

Italian uses only 21 letters - the standard 26 minus J, K, W, X, and Y. Those five letters only appear in foreign words.

Here are some essential Italian words to get you started:

2. The Letter C - Two Sounds

The Italian C changes its sound based on the vowel that follows:

The H after C keeps it hard even before E or I. Think of it as the H "protecting" the hard sound.

3. The Letter G - Two Sounds

Just like C, the Italian G has soft and hard versions:

4. Special Italian Sounds: GLI and GN

These are unique to Italian and don't exist in English:

5. Double Consonants

In Italian, double consonants are pronounced longer and with more emphasis. This distinction changes meaning:

Notice how "pizza" has a stronger, held "zz" sound compared to "zero" with a single "z".

6. Tips for Italian Pronunciation

1. Italian is phonetic: Every letter is pronounced, and the spelling tells you exactly how to say it.
2. No silent letters: Unlike English or French, you pronounce everything you see (except H, which is always silent).
3. Master C and G rules: Once you understand when they're hard vs. soft, you've conquered the biggest challenge.
4. Listen for double consonants: They're held longer and create the distinctive Italian rhythm.