Learn Italian: Ask How to Pronounce a Word and Repeat It Back
Ask how to pronounce an Italian word and repeat it back to confirm. Learn key phrases like 'Come si pronuncia?' and 'Così?' with clear pronunciation guides.
By TheaFirst conversations · Yapr Learn
When you encounter a new Italian word, knowing how to ask for its pronunciation and then repeat it back for confirmation is a vital skill. This lesson teaches you to ask 'How do you pronounce this word?' and to check your attempt with 'Like this?'. You'll learn the exact phrases and pronunciation to use in real conversations, so you can improve your Italian pronunciation with confidence.
By the end, you can…
- ask how to pronounce a specific Italian word.
- repeat a word back and ask if I pronounced it correctly.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Come si pronuncia questa parola?
How do you pronounce this word?
KOH-meh see pro-NOON-chah KWEH-stah pah-ROH-lah
Use when you see a written word and want to know its pronunciation. 'Questa parola' means 'this word'.
Come si dice questa parola?
How do you say this word?
KOH-meh see DEE-cheh KWEH-stah pah-ROH-lah
Similar to the first phrase, but more general. It can also mean 'How do you say this word in Italian?' when the context is clear.
Si pronuncia così?
Is it pronounced like this?
see pro-NOON-chah koh-ZEE
Use after you attempt to pronounce a word, to ask if you got it right. 'Così' means 'like this'.
Ho pronunciato bene?
Did I pronounce it well?
oh pro-noon-CHAH-toh BEH-neh
A direct way to ask for feedback on your pronunciation. Use 'bene' for 'well'.
Puoi ripetere, per favore?
Can you repeat, please?
PWOY ree-PEH-teh-reh, pehr fah-VOH-reh
Use when you didn't hear a word and need it repeated. This is different from asking about pronunciation.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To ask how to pronounce a word, use 'Come si pronuncia...?' followed by the word. For example, 'Come si pronuncia 'gnocchi'?' (How do you pronounce 'gnocchi'?). To confirm your attempt, say the word with a questioning tone and add 'Così?', e.g., 'Gnocchi? Così?' (Gnocchi? Like this?). This pattern works for any word.
When to use it
Use these phrases when you are learning new vocabulary, especially words with tricky sounds like 'gl' or 'gn'. For instance, if you see 'famiglia' (family), ask 'Come si pronuncia 'famiglia'?' Then try saying it and ask 'Famiglia? Così?' to check. This is more specific than asking for repetition, which is for when you didn't hear clearly.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Come si pronuncia questa parola?
How do you pronounce this word?KOH-meh see pro-NOON-chah KWEH-stah pah-ROH-lahSi pronuncia 'sciarpa'.
It's pronounced 'sciarpa'.see pro-NOON-chah SHAR-pahSciarpa? Così?
Sciarpa? Like this?SHAR-pah? koh-ZEE?Sì, esatto!
Yes, exactly!see, eh-ZAHT-tohA little context goes a long way
In Italian, it's common to ask for pronunciation help directly. Adding 'per favore' (please) makes a request more polite. 'Come si pronuncia?' uses the impersonal 'si', so it works in both formal and informal situations; with friends you can also use the 'tu' form 'Come lo pronunci?'. Avoid the bare 'Come pronunci?', which sounds incomplete and too direct. Note that 'Come si dice?' is not a pronunciation question: it means 'How do you say?' and is used when you don't know the word at all.
One thing to watch for
Asking 'Come si dice?' when you want to know the pronunciation of a word you already know in Italian.
Try this instead: 'Come si dice?' means 'How do you say?' and is used when you don't know the word at all. For the pronunciation of a word you already know, use 'Come si pronuncia?' Example: 'Come si pronuncia 'ghiaccio'?' (How do you pronounce 'ghiaccio'?) rather than 'Come si dice 'ghiaccio'?'.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How would you ask how to pronounce the word 'gnomo'?
Show a sample answer
Come si pronuncia 'gnomo'?
This uses the phrase 'Come si pronuncia?' followed by the word. 'Come si dice 'gnomo'?' would instead ask how to say the word in general, not how to pronounce it.
2You try to say 'chiesa' and want to confirm if it's correct. What do you say?
Show a sample answer
Chiesa? Così?
You repeat the word with a questioning tone and add 'Così?' to ask if it's like that. You could also say 'Ho pronunciato bene?' for a more direct question.
3What is the difference between 'Come si pronuncia?' and 'Puoi ripetere?'
Show a sample answer
'Come si pronuncia?' asks for the pronunciation of a word, while 'Puoi ripetere?' asks someone to repeat something you didn't hear.
The first focuses on learning how to say a word correctly; the second is for when you missed it. Both are useful but for different situations.
To learn pronunciation, ask 'Come si pronuncia?' and then repeat the word with 'Così?' to confirm. This simple exchange helps you improve quickly.
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