Start with the alphabet and sound system | Basic Italian Language PDF Download

Italian ABC is similar to the English one. So you will not come across any strange letters, yet the letters sound different than in English. The Italian alphabet has 21 letters: five vowels (a, e, i, o, u) and 16 consonants.

Unlike many other languages, Italian pronunciation rules are consistent. Most words are spoken the way they are written. The exceptions are few, so once you learn the rules, you’ll be able to talk and read with confidence.  

You’ll also notice that double letters are pronounced strongly and more stressed. No matter of its position in the word, all letters are pronounced in the same way, except for c, g (depending on the following vowel) and s, z (they can be voiced). Such letters as j, k, w, x, and y are used rarely and can be only found in words of English origin.

How long does it take to learn Italian grammar? Unlike the sound system, Italian grammar will most likely take months to learn. It makes sense to start with the basics and lay a solid foundation before you dive into more complicated grammatical patterns.