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

Puoi usare questa parola nell’espressione –> mettere a soqquadro (turn everything upside down)

Luca mette tutto a soqquadro perchè non trova il suo quaderno. (Luca turns everything upside down because he can’t find his notebook)


LEGGI e ASCOLTA – How to Pronounce Letter Q in Italian Language


📒 Leggi

Aquila

📢 Ascolta


📒 Leggi

Aquilone

📢 Ascolta


📒 Leggi

Quercia

📢 Ascolta


📒 Leggi

Quarto

📢 Ascolta


📒 Leggi

Quartiere

📢 Ascolta


📒 Leggi

Acquario

📢 Ascolta


📒 Leggi

Equilibrio

📢 Ascolta


📒 Leggi

Delinquente

📢 Ascolta


Tongue twister letter Q

Listen to the audio and try to repeat the tongue twister:

C’è il questore a quest’ora, in questura? No, il questore a quest’ora, in questura non c’è.


To refine your Italian pronunciation, practice saying words that contain the ‘QU’ combination.

Pay attention to the subtle differences in sound, and listen to native speakers to mimic their inflexions.

Embrace the musicality of the language, and soon, you’ll be pronouncing ‘Q’ with flair and confidence.

Keep practising, keep exploring, and most importantly, have fun embracing the unique sound of ‘Q’ in Italian!

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What’s next?

You might want to keep learning Italian online with these free resources:

🔗 Italian Pronunciation Guide

What's next? How to choose from DI or DA Italian preposition

facebook How to choose from DI or DA Italian preposition

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