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.