GLI, the soft ly sound
gli stands for one soft sound, not for g plus l. It sounds like the lli in million: the middle of the tongue rests against the palate and you hear no g. The word gli (the) sounds the same. Without the i, gl stays hard, for example in inglese.
famiglia
family
figlio
son
figlia
daughter
moglie
wife
gli amici
the friends
GN, the soft ny sound
gn also stands for one soft sound, not for g plus n. It sounds like the ny in canyon or onion, or like lasagna: a soft n with the tongue against the palate.
gnocchi
gnocchi (potato dumplings)
bagno
bathroom, toilet
signora
lady, Mrs
montagna
mountain
lasagne
lasagna
In full sentences
La mia famiglia è grande.
My family is big.
Dov'è il bagno?
Where is the bathroom?
Gli gnocchi sono buoni.
The gnocchi are delicious.
Mio figlio ama la montagna.
My son loves the mountains.
