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.