In Italian, all consonants except h can be doubled. Double consonants (i consonanti doppie) are pronounced much more forcefully than single consonants. With double f, l, m, n, r, s, and v, the sound is prolonged; with double b, c, d, g, p, and t, the stop is stronger than for the single consonant. Double z is pronounced almost the same as single z. Double s is always unvoiced.
Double consonant examples:
Italian English
babbo dad
fetta slice
evviva hurrah
bistecca beefsteak
mamma mama
albicocca apricot
bello beautiful
filetto filet
anno year
assai a lot
basso short
ragazzo boy
ferro iron
pennello paint brush
espresso espresso coffee
tavolozza palette
spaghetti spaghetti
cavalletto easel
Most Italian words end in a vowel.