The gl sound in Italian

1. 1
   famiglia/faˈmiʎʎa/

   familynoun

   The group of people related by kinship, such as parents and children.
2. 2
   figlio/ˈfiʎʎo/

   childnoun

   A person born to certain parents, male or female.
3. 3
   figlia/ˈfiʎʎa/

   daughternoun

   A person born to certain parents, when female.
4. 4
   aglio/ˈaʎʎo/

   garlicnoun

   A white bulb with a strong flavor added to dishes to give them taste.
5. 5
   bottiglia/botˈtiʎʎa/

   bottlenoun

   A tall container of glass or plastic, with a narrow neck, for liquids.
6. 6
   voglia/ˈvɔʎʎa/

   desirenoun

   The desire to do or to have something.
7. 7
   consiglio/konˈsiʎʎo/

   advicenoun

   A suggestion given to someone to help them choose.
8. 8
   raccogliere/rakˈkɔʎʎere/

   to pick upverb

   To pick something up off the ground.
9. 9
   meglio/ˈmɛʎʎo/

   betteradverb

   In a better, more correct, or more successful way.
10. 10
    migliore/miʎˈʎore/

    betteradjective

    More good or more skilled than another.

The sentences

1. Mangiamo sempre tutti insieme, tutta la famiglia in cucina.

   We always eat all together, the whole family in the kitchen.

2. Tuo figlio sa già cucinare meglio di me?

   Does your son already know how to cook better than me?

3. Tua figlia ha già apparecchiato la tavola per tutti.

   Your daughter already set the table for everyone.

4. Quanto aglio metto nel sugo, secondo te?

   How much garlic should I put in the sauce, do you think?

5. Vuoi che apra la bottiglia di vino rosso?

   Do you want me to open the bottle of red wine?

6. Ho voglia di qualcosa di dolce dopo cena.

   I feel like having something sweet after dinner.

7. Mi dai un consiglio per condire questa insalata?

   Can you give me some advice for dressing this salad?

8. Puoi raccogliere quel cucchiaio caduto sotto il tavolo?

   Can you pick up that spoon that fell under the table?

9. È meglio se metto il pane sul tavolo adesso?

   Is it better if I put the bread on the table now?

10. Questo è il vino migliore che abbiamo in casa.

    This is the best wine we have at home.

Pronunciation

• famiglia/faˈmiʎʎa/

  The group -gli- stands for a single sound, held long, never g plus l; the stress falls on -mi-.

• aglio/ˈaʎʎo/

  The stress is on the a, and -gli- is a single, long sound, not g plus l.

• bottiglia/botˈtiʎʎa/

  The two t's are held long and the stress falls on -ti-: bot-ti-glia.

• voglia/ˈvɔʎʎa/

  gl sounds like in figlio, held long; the o is open.

• raccogliere/rakˈkɔʎʎere/

  The two c's are long and the o is open in the stressed syllable: rac-co-gliere.

• meglio/ˈmɛʎʎo/

  The e is open, as in bene.

• migliore/miʎˈʎore/

  The stress falls on the o, not on the i: mi-glio-re.

Questions

How do you say family in Italian?

Famiglia means family, as in "mangiamo sempre tutti insieme, tutta la famiglia in cucina" (we always eat all together, the whole family in the kitchen).

What does migliore mean?

Migliore means better or best, more good or more skilled than another, as in "questo è il vino migliore che abbiamo in casa" (this is the best wine we have at home).

How do you ask for advice about a salad?

You can say "mi dai un consiglio per condire questa insalata?" (can you give me advice on dressing this salad?).