Italian Language Lessons
Grammar, spelling, and usage
Italian Consonants
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l is as in English, but sharper and more forward in the mouth.
| Italian | English |
|---|
| olio | oil |
| lingua | language |
| sale | salt |
| lungo | long |
| melone | melon |
| luna | moon |
| scuola | school |
| light | light |
p is as in English, but without the aspiration that sometimes accompanies this sound in English.
| Italian | English |
|---|
| pane | bread |
| patata | potato |
| pepe | pepper |
| papà | dad |
| popone | melon |
| ponte | bridge |
| pipa | pipe |
| punto | period |
| pasto | meal |
| pronuncia | pronunciation |
| Alpi | Alps |
| psicologo | psychologist |
qu is always pronounced like the English qu in quest.
| Italian | English |
|---|
| questo | this |
| quinto | fifth |
| quale | which |
| quarto | fourth |
| quanto | how much |
| quantità | quantity |
| quadro | picture |
| qualità | quality |
r is different from the English r; it is pronounced with one flip of the tongue against the gums of the upper teeth. This is the trilled r.
| Italian | English |
|---|
| ora | now |
| tenore | tenor |
| albergo | hotel |
| baritono | baritone |
| arte | art |
| orologio | watch |
| porta | door |
| sardina | sardine |
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