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Italian sound lab

Learn Italian pronunciation

The sounds that give learners away — the rolled R, GLI, GN, double consonants — and how to actually make them, with native audio.

Start with the complete guidePractice food words
A sweeping 19th-century Italian panorama at golden hour, evoking the full range and music of the spoken language.Start hereThe Ultimate Guide to Italian Pronunciation: Every Sound, One PageA complete, practical map of Italian pronunciation — vowels, double consonants, the rolled r, c and g, gl and gn, and stress — with native audio and the five sounds that matter most.Everyday testBruschetta, Gnocchi, Chianti: Italian Food Words You're Probably Saying WrongEspresso, gnocchi, bruschetta, focaccia: the restaurant words reveal the rules fast.

Sound targets

The sounds that change everything

A E I O UPure vowelsThe clean baseline for sounding Italian.TT SS LLDouble consonantsHold the sound long enough to change the word.RThe Italian RTrain the tongue without forcing it.GLI GNSecret soundsThe two clusters learners usually dodge.C GHard and soft C/GWhy ciao and casa do not start alike.StressWord stressWhere Italian puts weight in the word.

All pronunciation guides

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A detailed 19th-century Italian street scene with people in conversation, suggesting the sounds and rhythm of spoken Italian.
Pronunciation · B1
The Hardest Italian Sounds for English Speakers (and How to Fix Each One)

Five Italian sounds trip up almost every English speaker — double consonants, the rolled r, pure vowels, gl/gn, and stress. Here's what your English mouth does wrong, and the fix for each.

A 19th-century painting of a rustic Italian kitchen with a pot simmering over a low flame.
Pronunciation · A1
How to Pronounce Arrabbiata (Roll That "rr")

Arrabbiata is said ar-rab-BYAH-ta — the "rr" is a rolled trill and the "bb" is held. It literally means "angry". Here's the rule, sister words, and a quick check with your own voice.

A 19th-century painting of a warm terracotta Italian city with arcaded streets under a golden sky.
Pronunciation · A1
How to Pronounce Bologna (the City, Not the Lunch Meat)

The Italian city is bo-LO-nya, not "ba-LOH-nee". The "gn" is a soft "ny", the stress sits on the middle, and the final vowel is a full "a". Here's the rule and a quick check with your own voice.

A sunlit 19th-century painting of an Italian market stall with bread and vegetables.
Pronunciation · A1
How to Pronounce Bruschetta (It's "brew-SKET-ta")

Bruschetta is said brew-SKET-ta, not "brew-shetta" — because in Italian "sch" is a hard "sk", and the double "tt" is held. Here's the rule, sister words, and a quick check with your own voice.

A cappuccino with milk foam in a white cup on an Italian bar counter.
Pronunciation · A1
How to Pronounce Cappuccino (Double P, Soft C)

Cappuccino is pronounced kahp-poo-CHEE-noh. Hold the double "pp", make "cc" before "i" a soft "ch", and keep the final "o" clear.

A notebook comparing the Italian words bocca, accento and faccio with their double C sounds marked.
Pronunciation · A1
How to Pronounce CC in Italian: Hard K or Held CH?

Italian CC is a held K before A, O or U and a held CH before E or I. Hear bocca, accento and faccio, then test the double consonant yourself.

A bottle of Tuscan red wine and glasses on a sunlit table near rolling hills.
Pronunciation · A1
How to Pronounce Chianti (It Starts with KYA)

Chianti is pronounced KYAN-tee. The "ch" is a hard "k", the "i" glides into the "a", and the stress is on the first syllable.

A 19th-century painting of a small Italian café bar with a gleaming coffee machine and morning light.
Pronunciation · A1
Espresso, Not Expresso: How to Say It Right

It's espresso, not "expresso" — there is no "x" in the Italian word. It's said es-PRES-so with a held "ss". Here's why the "x" sneaks in, sister words, and a quick check with your own voice.

A rustic Italian flatbread on a wooden table with olive oil, herbs, and warm kitchen light.
Pronunciation · A1
How to Pronounce Focaccia (It's fo-KAH-cha)

Focaccia is pronounced fo-KAH-cha. The "ccia" makes a held "ch" sound, the stress lands on KAH, and the final "a" stays full. Here is the simple rule.

Rows of brightly coloured Italian ice cream in a shop display case.
Pronunciation · A1
Gelato Pronunciation: je-LAH-to (Hear It & Get Graded)

The "g" in gelato is not the G in "go" — and the stress isn't where English speakers put it. Hear a native say it, then record yourself and get graded free.

A 19th-century still life of rustic Italian food on a wooden table, warm and softly lit.
Pronunciation · A1
How to Pronounce Gnocchi (It's Not "Guh-Nocky")

Gnocchi is said NYOH-kee — the "gn" is a soft "ny" like in canyon, the "cch" is a hard "k", and you hold it. Here's the rule, three sister words, and a quick check with your own voice.

A slab of cured pork cheek beside a plate of pasta alla carbonara.
Pronunciation · A2
How to Pronounce Guanciale (The Carbonara Word)

Guanciale is pronounced gwan-CHA-leh. The "gu" is a "gw" glide and the "ci" is a soft "ch" — gwan-CHA-leh, with the stress on CHA.

A baked dish of lasagne with golden edges and warm tomato sauce on an Italian table.
Pronunciation · A1
How to Pronounce Lasagne (Not la-ZAG-nee)

Lasagne is pronounced la-ZAH-nyeh in Italian. The "gn" is a soft "ny" sound, the stress is on ZAH, and the final "e" is pronounced.

A 19th-century painting of a southern Italian dairy with fresh cheese on a marble slab.
Pronunciation · A1
How to Pronounce Mozzarella (The "zz" Is a "ts")

Mozzarella is said mot-tsa-REL-la — the "zz" is a crisp "ts", and both the "zz" and "ll" are held. Here's the rule, sister words, and a quick check with your own voice.

A wedge of aged hard cheese beside a wheel stamped with its name.
Pronunciation · A2
How to Pronounce Parmigiano (Soft "GI", Silent "I")

Parmigiano is pronounced par-mee-JA-no. The "gi" is a soft "j" and the "i" is silent, so "gia" sounds like "ja", with the stress on JA.

A scoop of pale green pistachio gelato topped with chopped nuts.
Pronunciation · A1
How to Pronounce Pistacchio (Hard "CCH", Not "Sh")

The Italian pistacchio is pronounced pee-STAK-kyo. The "cch" is a hard, held "k" — never the English "sh" of pistachio.

Slices of Italian roast pork with herbs on a rustic market counter.
Pronunciation · A1
How to Pronounce Porchetta (Hard K, Double T)

Porchetta is pronounced por-KET-ta. The "ch" is a hard "k", the stress lands on KET, and the double "tt" is held for a beat.

A 19th-century Italian pantry scene with cured meats hanging in warm light.
Pronunciation · A1
How to Pronounce Prosciutto (Drop the "c" You're Adding)

Prosciutto is said pro-SHOO-toh — "sci" is a soft "sh", there's no "k" sound, and the double "tt" is held. Here's the rule, sister words, and a quick check with your own voice.

Fresh ribbons of Italian pasta dusted with flour on a wooden kitchen table.
Pronunciation · A1
How to Pronounce Tagliatelle (the "gli" Is Soft)

Tagliatelle is pronounced ta-lya-TEL-leh. The "gli" is a soft "ly" sound, the stress lands on TEL, and every final vowel stays clear.

A dusting of cocoa over a spoonful of layered coffee dessert.
Pronunciation · A1
How to Pronounce Tiramisù (The Accent Tells You Where to Push)

Tiramisù is pronounced tee-ra-mee-SOO. The accent on the final "ù" is not decoration — it tells you the stress lands on the last syllable.

A 19th-century painting of a marble-topped Italian bar counter with tiny coffee cups in morning light.
Pronunciation · A1
How to Say Caffè in Italian (Stress the End)

Caffè is said kaf-FEH, with the stress on the final "è" — the accent mark tells you so. The double "ff" is held. Here's the rule, how to order one, and a quick check with your own voice.

A lively 19th-century Italian piazza at dusk with people talking, capturing the rhythm and music of spoken Italian.
Pronunciation · A2
How to Sound Italian in 5 Steps (Fast Wins for Your Accent)

You don't need perfect grammar to sound Italian — you need five sound habits. Pure vowels, held double consonants, the tapped r, full final vowels, and the right stress. Here's each, fast.

A close-up of a vintage Italian typewriter with a sheet of paper showing the letters 'a, b, c' typed out.
Pronunciation · A1
The Italian Alphabet: 21 Letters (and 5 Foreign Ones)

Unlock the sounds of Italy by mastering its 21-letter alphabet, plus the five 'foreign' letters you'll encounter in borrowed words.

A peaceful Italian rural landscape with rolling hills, cypress trees, and a small stone house, painted in soft, natural colors of the 19th century.
Pronunciation · A2
When Italian Drops a Vowel: L'amico, Un'amica, C'è

Ever wonder why you see 'l'amico' instead of 'lo amico' or 'un'amica' instead of 'una amica'? This guide explains elision, the vowel-dropping trick that makes Italian sound so natural.

A close-up of an old Italian dictionary page showing words with accented vowels.
Pronunciation · A2
Open and Closed Vowels in Italian: è vs é, ò vs ó

Unlock the subtle but crucial differences between open and closed E and O sounds in Italian. This guide will help you hear and pronounce accents like a native, avoiding common misunderstandings.

A peaceful painting of a sun-drenched Italian hillside village with a winding path and cypress trees.
Pronunciation · A2
Scena or Schiena? Mastering the Italian 'sc' Sounds

The Italian 'sc' can sound like 'sk' or 'sh' depending on the vowel that follows. Learn the simple rules to pronounce words like *scena* and *schiena* correctly every time.