Sound contrast · Standard Italian
Italian /o/ vs /ɔ/Closed and open o
Learn to hear the difference between o and ɔ in Italian words.
Practice these sounds/o/
A close-mid, rounded vowel
A rounded vowel made toward the back of the mouth.
As inbotte
/ɔ/
An open-mid, rounded vowel
A more open back vowel than /o/. The guide below identifies the reference variety used here.
As inbotte
WHAT TO LISTEN FOR
A small change.
A different word.
Learn to hear the difference between o and ɔ in Italian words.
Listen for the target sound in each word.
Sound examples
Tap to hear each wordbotte
/ˈbotːe/barrelrotto
/ˈrotːo/brokensonno
/ˈsonːo/sleeptonno
/ˈtonːo/tunasotto
/ˈsotːo/underbotte
/ˈbɔtːe/blows; beatingsnotte
/ˈnɔtːe/nightcotto
/ˈkɔtːo/cookedotto
/ˈɔtːo/eightlotta
/ˈlɔtːa/struggle10 words. Words stay hidden during practice unless you choose to reveal them.