The consonant G has two sounds: the guttural sound [g] and the palatal sound [ʤ]. Its sound changes when it is followed by (N) or (L).
How to pronounce g in Italian?
1. The letter G + (a – o – u – h – consonant) is represented by the guttural sound [g]
| g + a | g + o | g + u | g + h + (i / e) | g + Consonante |
| gara (competition) gabbia (cage) garofano (carnation) gambero (shrimp) | gonna (skirt) albergo (hotel) gola (throat) gomito (elbow) | guida (guide) guanto (glove) gufo (owl) guerra (war) | ghiaccio (ice) unghia (nail) ghepardo (cheetah) rughe (wrinkles) | grazie (Thank you) grida (shout) gloria (glory) globo (globe) |
2. The letter G + (e – i) is represented by the palatal sound [ʤ]
| g + e | g + i | g + i + (a – o – u) |
| gesso (chalk) gelato (ice-cream) geranio (geranium) gemelli (twins) gente (people) | gita (trip) giraffa (giraffe) girasoli (sunflowers) gigante (giant) orologio (clock) | valigia (suitcase) giardino (garden) giorno (day) gioco (game) giugno (June) giullare (jester) |
3. The group (gl + i) is represented by the sound [ʎ]
- figlio (son)
- tovagliolo (napkin)
- foglio (sheet)
- luglio (July)
- maglione (sweater)
- moglie (wife)
- famiglia (family)
- biglietto (ticket).
In some cases the sound is guttural [g]:
- glicemia (glycemia)
- anglicano (anglican)
- negligente (negligent)
- Glicine (Wisteria).
4. The group (gl + a – o – u – e) has a guttural sound [gl]
- gladiolo (gladiolus)
- gloria (global)
- globale (glory)
- glucosio (glacial)
- glaciale (glucose)
- gleba (gleba)
- globuli (globules)
- glutine (gluten)
5. The group (gn) is represented by the sound (ɲ)
- lavagna (blackboard)
- Spagna (Spain)
- bagno (bathroom)
- campagna (countryside)
- ognuno (each)
- regno (kingdom)
- cigno (swan)
- ogni (each)
- montagna (mountain)
- castagno (chestnut)
- regno (kingdom)
- gnomo (gnome)
Exercise on the lesson here