italian words are divided into syllables as follows:

a single consonant goes with the following vowel.

italian english

ca–sa house

po–si–ti–vo positive

double consonants are divided.

italian english

bab–bo dad

ros–so red

bel–lo beautiful

at–to act

two consonants, the first of which is l, m, n, or r, are divided.

italian english

al–ber–go hotel

con–ten–to contented

am–pio ample

for–tu–na fortune

otherwise, a combination of two consonants belongs to the following syllable.

italian english

ba–sta enough

fi–glio son

pa–dre father

ba–gno bath

so–pra above

sa–cro sacred

the first of three consonants, except s, goes with the preceding syllable.

italian english

sem–pre always

fel–tro felt

mem–bro member

men–tre while