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.