Double Letter Sounds

Double Consonants

In Italian, double consonants are pronounced with a short, distinct pause between the repeated consonants. This pause, called gemination, affects the pronunciation and rhythm of the word. This can be replicated in English with the phrase "cat tongue" as there's a pause between the two "t"s. Here are some examples:

"Pappa" - Pronounced "PAHP-pah" (with a slight pause between the two P's).
"Bello" - Pronounced "BEL-loh" (with a slight pause between the two L's).
"Pizza" - You most likely already know this one!

The double consonants gives emphasis to the sound and can change the meaning of a word. For example, "fato" (fate) and "fatto" (fact) have different meanings, with the latter having a geminated "t."

Double Vowels

When encountering double vowels in Italian, both vowels are pronounced distinctly, giving them more emphasis. Here are some examples:

• "aa" - Pronounced as two separate "ah" sounds. For example, "saara" is pronounced "sah-AH-rah."
• "ee" - Pronounced as two separate "eh" sounds. For example, "seeno" is pronounced "SEH-eh-no."
• "ii" - Pronounced as two separate "ee" sounds. For example, "biisio" is pronounced "BEE-ee-zee-oh."
• "oo" - Pronounced as two separate "oh" sounds. For example, "poora" is pronounced "POH-oh-rah."
• "uu" - Pronounced as two separate "oo" sounds. For example, "luuna" is pronounced "LOO-oo-nah."

Pronouncing double vowels distinctly is important in Italian as it can distinguish words with different meanings, such as "casa" (house) and "cassa" (cash desk).