How to Pronounce Letter Q in Italian Language -

In this article, you will learn Italian Sounds – How to pronounce Letter Q in Italian Language.

Most Italian consonants are pronounced like in English.

One exception is the letter Q.

‘Q’ is always followed by the letter ‘U,’ and together, they form a combination that is an entity of its own.

This pairing results in a single sound that resembles the English “kw” or “kwa.”

Letter Q is always followed by the letter U

Q+U

is pronounced like qu

in “Queen“

Example: qui / qwee (here)

How to Pronounce Letter Q in Italian Language

Try this exercise to test your Knowledge.

Read the explanation to learn more.

Q sounds

QU+ A → QUA → QUADERNO

QU + E → QUE → QUERCIA

QU + I → QUI → QUINDICI

QU + O → QUO→ LIQUORE

Watch this VIDEO to Learn More about Q in Italian

Alcune parole con il suono “QU” si scrivono “CU” come per esempio: cuocere, cuoco, cuoio, scuola, scuotere. In questo caso è necessario imparare la scrittura perché la pronuncia è la stessa e non aiuta a distinguere i due suoni. (Some words with the sound “QU” are spelled “CU” such as: cuocere –cook–, cuoco -cook- , cuoio –leather– , scuola –school–, scuotere –shake-. In this case you need to learn the writing because the pronunciation is the same and does not help to distinguish the two sounds.)

CQU sound

Quando il suono QU è più lungo si aggiunge una C e diventa CQU come in acqua. (When the QU sound is longer a C is added and it becomes CQU like in Acqua – water.)

AUDIO → ACQUA

More words with cqu sound

acquitrino

acquerelli

acquedotto

acquario

subacqueo

acquaio

acquazzone

acqueruggiola

In Italiano c’è una sola parola che ha la doppia QQU (In Italian there is only one word that has the double QQ) -> Soqquadro (Upside down)

AUDIO → SOQQUADRO