GN gn

This is one of the four consonants that have no direct counterparts in Eng. If you have some French, Portuguese or Spanish you are already familiar with this sound. It has the same spelling "gn" in French, it is represented by "nh" in Portuguese (Mourinho is a well-known example) and by "n" with a wavy mark on top, called tilde, in Spanish.

Otherwise, try to say "senior, lenient" etc. merging the "ni" sounds into one nasal consonant.

The most important word with "gn" is "signore" ( gentleman/sir/Mr) which with its f. "signora" and their pl. forms has a variety of usages - see

"gn" is normally found inside words: "legno, segno, ignorare, segnale"... ( wood, sign, ignore, signal)...

It never occurs in a final position. There are few words that begin with this sound: "gnocchi, gnomo, gnu"... ( potato dumplings, gnome, gnu)...

Notice the differences:
- It. "gn" does not become [n] in any positions - contrast with Eng. "sign, gnome, gnu".
- It becomes [g + n] only in foreign words - notably Wagner; contrast with Eng. "ignore, signal, signature" etc.

The "gn" sound contrasts with "ni" in a few words, like "campagna - Campania" ( countryside - the region of Naples).