"U" before a vowel ("Consonantal U")

The pronunciation of "u" in words like "uomo, uovo" ( man, egg) is [w].

However, "u" still behaves as a vowel as regards the use of the article: "l'uomo, l'uovo"... .

This marks a difference from consonantal "i" - see "j"

For "u" after "q" see