Learn the Italian Alphabet
Introduction to the Italian Alphabet
The Italian alphabet, or "l'alfabeto italiano" in Italian, is a fundamental part of the Italian language. It consists of 21 letters, which are the standard Latin alphabet minus J, K, W, X, and Y, though these letters do appear in foreign loanwords:
The traditional Italian alphabet has 21 letters, but modern Italian includes J, K, W, X, and Y for foreign words.
Understanding the Italian alphabet is crucial for several reasons:
Pronunciation
Italian is a phonetic language, meaning words are generally pronounced as they are written, making the alphabet essential for correct pronunciation.
Spelling
Knowing the alphabet aids in spelling words correctly, especially when learning new vocabulary or understanding Italian grammar.
Alphabetical Order
It's essential for using dictionaries and understanding organizational systems in Italian-speaking regions.
Communication
Being able to spell out words using letter names is useful in many real-life situations, from ordering at a restaurant to asking for directions.
In the interactive cards below, you'll find each letter of the Italian alphabet, along with its name in Italian and a sample word. Click on the speaker icons to hear the pronunciation of each letter name and sample word. This will help you familiarize yourself with both the visual and auditory aspects of the Italian alphabet.