Mangia (Eat) Pronounced: Man-ja

A unique, romantic, and interesting language, Italian, understandably poses pronunciation challenges for those not familiar. On The Move Catering & Events in its desire to cater to your needs has compiled a list of some of the words...you simply need to know.

Trust me...It’s as much for you as it is for us. Have a look at the words below and if you have any further suggestions for this ever-growing list, please feel free to send us a note to don@otm.ca.

Have a Wonderful Day. Eat Well...and Speak Well!


Pronouncing Consonants in Italian

c before ‘e’ or ‘i’ is pronounced tch

ch is pronounced like the ‘k’ in ‘kit’

g before ‘e’ or ‘i’ is pronounced like the ‘j’ in ‘jet’

gl before ‘e’ or ‘i’ is normally pronounced like the ‘lli’ in ‘million’, and in a few cases only like the ‘gl’ in ‘glove’

gn is pronounced like the ‘ny’ in ‘canyon’

sc before‘ e ’ or ‘ i ’ is pronounced sh’

Note: All double written consonants in Italian are fully sounded, for example the tt in ‘tutto’ (all) is pronounced as in ‘hat trick’





The On The Move List

While the list below is not outlined as you might find in a dictionary, we have presented the words in the way one might pronounce them when breaking a word into its individual parts. This is the best way to "handle” Italian: break the words down into its syllables and then blend them back together.

Donato Sagarese, President Pronounced: Dough-Na-To Sa-Ga-Raise-Eh, Praise-ee-den-Teh

Lino Di Cecca, Chef Pronounced: Lee-No Dee-Checka, Capo-cocco

Italy Pronounced: It-Talli, Not: Eye-Tally

Italians Pronounced: It-Talians, Not: Eye-Talians

Cucina (kitchen) Pronounced: Koo-Chi-Na

Fame (hunger) Pronounced: Fa-Mey

Mangia (eat) Pronounced: Man-ja

Provvedere da Mangiare (to cater) Pronounced: Pro-vey-dare-eh da Man-Ja-Rey

Pasta Pronounced: Pah-Sta, Not: Pa-sta

Gelato (ice cream) Pronounced: Jey-lato

Bruschetta Pronounced: Brew-Ske-Ta, Not: Brew-shetta

Biscotti (cookies) Pronounced: Bee-Scoh-tee, Not: Bee-Scaw-Tee

Parmigiano (cheese) Pronounced: Parm-ee-John-No

Gnocchi Pronounced: Gno-ki (as in singing), Not: G-Nocki or No-Chi

Piccante (spicy) Pronounced: Pee-Khan-Te

Expresso (coffee) Pronounced: Ess-Presso, Not: Ex-Presso

Cacciatora (sauce) Pronounced: Catcha-Tora

Vino (wine) Pronounced: Vee-No

Tagliatelle (pasta) Pronounced: Ta-Lia-Telle

Pancetta (bacon) Pronounced: Pan-Che-Ta

Bolognese Pronounced: Bowl-Own-nies-Eh

Risotto (rice) Pronounced: Reese-Oh-To



Getting Along in Italian….

Ciao. Mi chiamo: Hello my is_________________.

E tu come ti chiami? And What is your name?

Vieni spesso da questa parti? Do you come here often?

Ti va ballare? Do you feel like dancing?

Posso offrirti qualcosa dab ere? Can I get you a drink?

Non posso vivere senza di te. I can’t live without you.


E finite. It’s over!