The Italian alphabet is straightforward, especially if you know English. It uses the same Latin script but has only 21 official letters. The letters J, K, W, X, and Y are not considered part of the standard alphabet. You'll only see them in foreign words like jeans or weekend.

One of the best parts about learning Italian is its phonetic consistency. For the most part, letters make the same sound every time. Once you learn the rules, you can pronounce almost any word you see.

The musical quality of Italian comes from its vowels. They are short, clear, and always pronounced. Unlike in English, there are no silent vowels. There are five written vowels: A, E, I, O, U.

Technically, the letters 'E' and 'O' each have two distinct sounds (one more open, one more closed), but you don't need to worry about that for now. The difference is subtle, and people will understand you either way. The key is to pronounce every vowel you see.

Many Italian consonants sound just like they do in English. But a few combinations create special sounds that are essential to learn.

When C comes before an A, O, or U, it makes a hard 'k' sound, just like in the word "cat."

But when C comes before an E or I, it makes a soft 'ch' sound, like in "cheese."

The letter G follows the exact same pattern. Before A, O, or U, it's a hard 'g' sound, as in "go."

And before E or I, it becomes a soft 'j' sound, like in "jelly."

So, how do you make the hard 'k' or 'g' sound before an E or I? You add an H. The letter H is always silent in Italian. Its only job is to change the sound of C and G.

Think of the H as a wall that stops the C and G from becoming soft.

Let's test what you've learned.

Mastering these basic sounds is the first big step. With a little practice, you'll be able to read and pronounce Italian words with confidence.