The letter combination cc appears mainly in loanwords and produces different sounds depending on origin and the following vowels.

Letter Combination

cc

Name

cc (pronounced /t͡seː t͡seː/)

Common Sound(s)

/k/, /ks/, /tʃ/

The Letter Combination "cc"

Sound 1: /k/ (Italian loanwords)

In many Italian loanwords and names, "cc" is pronounced as /k/ when followed by "a", "o", "u", "r", "l".

Example

Broccoli → /ˈbrɔkoli/

broccoli

Account → /əˈkaʊnt/

account

Sound 2: /kts/ (Latin-origin words)

In words of Latin origin, especially in formal or scientific vocabulary, "cc" before "e" or "i" is pronounced /kts/.

Example

Vaccination → /vaktsiˈnaːt͡si̯oːn/

vaccination

Sound 3: /tʃ/ (Italian loanwords)

In Italian loanwords and names, "cc" before "e" or "i" is pronounced /tʃ/.

Example

Cappuccino → /kapuˈiːno/

cappuccino

Fettuccine → /fɛtuˈiːnə/

fettuccine

Sound 4: /ks/ (English and French loanwords)

In some loanwords from English and French, "cc" is pronounced /ks/.

Example

Access → /ˈæksɛs/

access

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