I i

This letter is pronounced like the "i" in "machine, routine" etc. with only one important exception:

it is not sounded when it occurs after "c, g" before "a, o, u". The best-known example is "Ciao!"

Other examples: "acciaio, micio, acciuga, giallo, Giorgio, giugno" ( steel, kitten, anchovy, yellow, George, June).

See also the pages on "c" and "g" .

Likewise, it is silent when the clusters "sci" and "gli" are followed by "a, o, u". Examples: "sciame, liscio, sciupare, figlio, figlia, pagliuzza"... ( swarm, smooth, waste, son, daughter, straw). More details in the pages on "sc" and "gli" .

Before another vowel in the same syllable, it sounds like Eng. "y" in the same position: a good example is "ieri yesterday". See also the page on "j" .