Learning a new language is such an exciting adventure, and Italian is definitely no exception! If you’re just starting out, two key things to focus on are the alphabet in Italian and the present tense of regular verbs.

In this post, we will explore the Italian alphabet and dive into conjugating regular -are verbs in the present tense. Plus, we’ll touch on some useful grammar points to help you get started. As always, be sure to check out the podcast episode to hear how everything is pronounced. 

The alphabet in Italian 

The alphabet in Italian derives from the Latin alphabet and consists of 21 letters with some additional letters borrowed from foreign words. But what does that mean? Well, unlike English, it does not include the letters J, K, W, X, and Y as part of its core alphabet. 

Let’s take a closer look at the pronunciation of the letters:

• A (a)
• B (bi)
• C (ci)
• D (di)
• E (e)
• F (effe)
• G (gi)
• H (acca)
• I (i)
• L (elle)
• M (emme)
• N (enne)
• O (o)
• P (pi)
• Q (cu)
• R (erre)
• S (esse)
• T (ti)
• U (u)
• V (vu/vi)
• Z (zeta)

Foreign Letters:

• J (i lunga)
• K (kappa)
• W (vu doppia, doppia vu, or vi doppia, doppia vi)
• X (ics)
• Y (ipsilon or i greca)

It is important to note that foreign letters are usually found in proper nouns, foreign loanwords, and abbreviations. 

Spelling words in Italian becomes straightforward once you become familiar with the pronunciation of each letter. You can practise this skill by spelling your name, numbers, body parts in Italian – or anything really. 

Common phrases using the alphabet in Italian

Learning the alphabet in Italian opens up a world of possibilities for asking and answering questions about spelling. Here are some examples of phrases you might need:

• Come si scrive? How do you spell it?
• Si scrive…   It’s spelt…
• E poi?  And then?

Conjugating verbs in the Italian present tense

Now that we’ve explored the alphabet, let’s move on to verbs. In Italian, verbs are divided into three groups based on their endings: -are, -ere, and -ire. For this lesson, we’ll focus on -are verbs, which are among the most common and versatile.

Conjugating a verb in Italian means modifying its ending to match the subject. Here’s the pattern for regular –are verbs in the present tense:

Let’s take a closer look at some examples that illustrate the use of verbs ending in -are. These verbs are commonly found in Italian and are essential for constructing sentences that convey various actions and states.

• Parlo un po’ di italiano. I speak a little Italian.
• Parli francese? Do you speak French?
• Mio padre mangia pasta. My father eats pasta.
• Cantano una canzone. They sing a song.

Practical applications of learning the alphabet in Italian and the present tense

Learning the alphabet in Italian and present tense verbs opens the door to various practical applications. For example, with this knowledge and the knowledge you’ve been building, you will be able to introduce yourself in Italian, describe your activities and ask questions! 

Additionally, these skills not only help with pronunciation and communication but also lay the groundwork for more advanced topics in Italian grammar. As you continue your language journey, remember to practice regularly and incorporate these basics into your daily conversations, like chatting on the phone. 

To learn vocabulary, especially for talking on the phone in Italian, check out the blog post and episode we prepared on the subject!