Italian vowels (i vocali) are short, clear–cut, and are never drawn out. The "glide" with which English vowels frequently end should be avoided. It should be noted that a, i, u, are always pronounced the same way; e and o, on the other hand, have an open and a closed sound that may vary from one part of Italy to the other.
The approximate English equivalents are as follows:
a is like a in the English word ah!
Italian English casahouseantipastoappetizeramalovesbananabananasalahallPapaPopefamafamepastapasta; dough; pastry
e is sometimes like e in the English word they (without the final i glide).
e is sometimes like e in the word met. This is the open e.
è
is
lento
slow
bene
well
festa
party; holiday
sedia
chair
presto
soon
vento
wind
tè
tea
i is like i in machine.
Italian
libri
books
bimbi
children
vini
wines
violini
violins
tini
vats
pini
pines
o is sometimes like o in the English word oh!.
Italian English
o
or
dono
gift
nome
name
solo
alone
posto
place
tondo
round
volo
flight
mondo
world
o is sometimes like o in or. This is the open o.
Italian English modafashiontogatoganonoorogoldpostamailbrodobrothcosathingtronothronerosaroseoliooil
u is like u in rule.
Italian English lunamoonfungomushroomunoonelungolongfugafuguemulomuleusousetubotube
