How to Speak With a Fake Italian Accent

Last Updated: October 4, 2024 Fact Checked

Whether it is for acting, or just to pull a prank at some friends, this article will instruct you how to re-create an Italian accent!

Things You Should Know

Start by modifying your vowels: a sounds like "ah," e sounds like "eh," i sounds like "ee," and u sounds like "oo."
Elongate double consonants in words like "azzurro," "pollo," etc. For example, you'd pronounce "better" as "bet-ter" rather than "bedder."
Speak in very simple English phrases to create the illusion that you aren't fluent in English.
End questions with "no?" to sound like an Italian native.

1

Modify your vowels.

Download Article

Understand that Italian vowels are different from English ones. In Italian, each letter stands distinctly as one sound, whereas in English, letters can make different sounds depending on the word. ^{[1]
X
Research source} It may sound complicated, but it isn't.
- A sounds like the ä in "Father"
- E is pronounced like è in "Vendor"
- I like ï in "Naive"
- U is ù as in "Goo".

2

Blend your “th.”

Download Article

Italians often have difficulty pronouncing the English “th.” Instead of pronouncing it how you normally would, pronounce it as either “t” (“think" would become “tink”), or "d" (“the” would become “de.”), respectively. ^{[2]
X
Research source}
- Additionally, Italians often drop the “h” from the beginning of words. ^{[3]
  X
  Research source}
- Some other common sound mistakes include GL as LL (as in “Million”) and GN as ñ (as in “Canyon”).
- Be careful not to mistake certain sounds too often, as it will make you sound pretentious!

3

Use simple English.

Download Article

Since you are pretending to be a foreigner, your working knowledge of the English vocabulary would not be complete. If you’ve learned any other language, think of the simple vocabulary you’re taught when you first begin learning.

4

Elongate double consonants.

Download Article

^{[4]
X
Research source} In Italian, words such as “Azzurro,” “Pollo,” and others feature prominent double consonants, so try to draw the sound out when you speak. For example, it would be “Bet-ter” rather than “bedder.”

5

End questions with “no?”.

Download Article

This is an optional step, and obviously not done every time. The Italian language uses it, and thus, Italians are familiar with it. Example: “You are going later, no?”

Community Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

What if I want to speak the language?

Community Answer

Learn the language first, and then you can start adding the accent. You can also learn the language and the accent at the same time.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 31 Helpful 58
Question

What if I don't live near Italians?

Community Answer

You can talk to Italian people online, watch Italian videos or take Italian lessons.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 14 Helpful 39
Question

How do I say boyfriend?

Community Answer

You pronounce "boy" as you would in English, except you exaggerate the "o". The "friend” becomes “fren”, with a subtle “d” sound. To make the subtle “d” sound, curve your tongue upward rather than downward in pronunciation.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 13 Helpful 45

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Video

Tips

Observe real Italians. This is by far the easiest way to improve your skills. Watch films with Italians and follow their speech patterns.

Thanks
Helpful 3 Not Helpful 2
Make sure your "o" does not have a w sound at the end. Make your mouth into an o, start making the sound of an o, and then stop.

Thanks
Helpful 1 Not Helpful 4
To give your accent a comical feel, you can watch Roary the Racing Car and pay special attention to Maxi and Mr. Carburettor, as they both speak with a comically thick Italian accent.

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 1

Show More Tips

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Name

Please provide your name and last initial

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Warnings

Do not exaggerate too much! As "Italian" as you may sound, exaggeration will only result in incomprehensible speech.

Thanks
Helpful 9 Not Helpful 1
Never try to fool the native speakers. Italians will instantly mark you negatively.

Thanks
Helpful 9 Not Helpful 1
Italian people may get offended. Use with caution.

Thanks
Helpful 4 Not Helpful 0
Use responsibly. For example, read this article to prepare for a theater play.

Thanks
Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0

You Might Also Like

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

Log in

How to Speak With a Fake Italian Accent

Things You Should Know

Steps

Modify your vowels.

Blend your “th.”

Use simple English.

Elongate double consonants.

End questions with “no?”.

Community Q&A

Video

Tips

Warnings

You Might Also Like

References

About This Article

Did this article help you?

About This Article

Quizzes

You Might Also Like

Featured Articles

Trending Articles

Featured Articles

Featured Articles

Watch Articles

Trending Articles

Quizzes

Explore Categories