Z z

This letter represents two of the four It. sounds that are not matched by similar sounds in Eng.

The phonetic representations [ts, dz] can be of help, provided that is clear that we are not dealing with two separate sounds in sequence but with a combination of them in one consonant.

Which of the two sounds (voiceless [ts] or voiced [dz]) is to be used must be learned word by word. "Double z", too, may be either voiceless [tts] or voiced [ddz].

In most words ending with - zione, like "stazione, lezione, azione, promozione" ( station, lesson, action, promotion) "z" is pronounced [ts].

The letter "z" is usually pronounced [ts] when it is preceded by another consonant as in "alzare, canzone"... ( to lift, song).