The letter s has two distinct sounds. The difference is similar to the difference present in the two English words rice (here there is a distinct s sound) and rise (here there is more of a z sound). When the letter s appears at the beginning of a word, it has the same sound S sound as in rice, house, snake, or sip.

Table 2-15

Pronunciation Exercise: The Letter S

Italian	English
salame	salami
secolo	century
sicuro	certain
soldi	money
subito	right away

When the letter s is followed by ca, co, cu, che, chi, f, p, qu, or t, it has the same S sound as in rice, house, snake, or sip.

Table 2-16

Pronunciation Exercise: S + Consonant

When the letter s is doubled (ss), it has the same s sound as in rice, house, snake, or sip.

Table 2-17

Pronunciation Exercise: SS

Italian	English
nessuno	no one
passa	she/he passes
pessimo	worst
sassofono	saxophone
stesso	same

When the letter s is followed by the consonants b, d, g, l, m, n, r, or v, it has the same z sound as in rise, wise, lies, or pies.

Table 2-18

Pronunciation Exercise: S + Consonant

Italian	English
sbadigliare	to yawn
sdegno	disdain
sgarbato	impolite
sbagliato	wrong
smalto	enamel

When the letter s occurs between two vowels, it has the same z sound as in rise, wise, lies, or pies.

Table 2-19

Pronunciation Exercise: Intervocalic S

Italian	English
casa	house
misi	I put
peso	weight
visito	I visit
base	base

When followed by -ce, -ci, -cia, -cie, -cio, or -ciu, the s is pronounced as the sh in the English words ship, shine, and harsh.

Table 2-20

Pronunciation Exercise: S + Consonant

Italian	English
sciare	to ski
scienza	science
sciopero	strike
sciupare	to damage
asciugare	to dry