21 lettere dell'alfabeto italiano

Click on each picture to listen to the sound of the letter and the word starting with that letter.

 

Lettere non italiane

These are foreign letters (rarely used in Italian) and their Italian pronunciation:

Suoni speciali

These are consonants combined with a vowel or with another consonant. They have a particular pronunciation:

 

Pronuncia

Use the Audio Control buttons to Play/Pause/Stop the sound and to adjust the Volume. If you do not see an Audio Control Box close to the Pinocchio icon please check the technical requirements or click on the Pinocchio icon.

 

Italian words end with a vowel (except words of foreign origin - e.g. sport, film, yogurt...):

• armadio (wardrobe, closet)

• lampada (lamp)

 

The vowels and the diphtongs (combination of vowels) are clearly articulated:

• noioso, noiosa (boring)

• piede (foot)

 

Double consonants must be pronounced. When you pronounce a double consonant, just extend the sound while holding the breath for a moment:

• ballare (to dance)

• ginnastica (gymnastics)

 

Most Italian words have the stress on the next-to-last syllable:

• burattino (puppet)

• lavorare (to work)

 

However, there are many exceptions to this rule and, since the stress is not indicated by a written accent, the only way to learn the correct pronunciation is by listening, memorizing and practicing:

• leggere (to read)

• frigorifero (refridgerator)

 

Some words have the stress on the final vowel; they require a written accent:

• caffè (coffee)

• attività (activity)

 

In a sentence, the stress usually falls on the last word, and the pitch of the voice drops at the end of the sentence:

• Pinocchio è italiano. (Pinocchio is Italian.)

 

A question is expressed with a rising intonation:

• Pinocchio è italiano? (Is Pinocchio Italian?)