The consonants not listed below (b, f, m, n, v) are pronounced as in English. The approximate English equivalents are as follows:
c before a, o, and u is like the English k.
| Italian | English |
|---|---|
| casa | house |
| fico | fig |
| con | with |
| Colesseo | Colosseum |
| capo | head |
| Cupido | Cupid |
| cane | dog |
| camera | camera |
| caffè | coffee |
| culla | cradle |
c before e or i is like the English sound ch in chest.
| Italian | English |
|---|---|
| cena | supper |
| voce | voice |
| cibo | food |
| concerto | concert |
| aceto | vinegar |
| cinema | cinema |
| cipolla | onion |
| facile | easy |
ch (found only before e or i) is like the English k.
| Italian | English |
|---|---|
| che | that |
| chimica | chemistry |
| perché | because |
| fichi | figs |
| chilo | kilo |
| chi | who |
| chiuso | closed |
| anche | also |
d is somewhat more explosive than in English, with the tongue near the tip of the upper teeth but with no aspiration.
| Italian | English |
|---|---|
| di | of |
| data | date |
| dove | where |
| due | two |
| denaro | money |
| dodici | twelve |
| donna | woman |
| lunedì | Monday |
| moda | fashion |
| undici | eleven |
g before a, o, and u is as in the English word go.
