What is the Subjunctive?
The Italian subjunctive, or congiuntivo, is a verb mood used to talk about thoughts, feelings, doubts, wishes, and anything that isn’t 100% certain. It’s how Italians express the “what ifs”, “I hope”, and “I’m not sure” moments of life.
You’ll often find it after the word “che” and following verbs like:
- pensare che (to think that)
- credere che (to believe that)
- sperare che (to hope that)
- volere che (to want that)
- ho paura che (to be afraid that)
Here are a couple of classic examples:
- Penso che sia una buona idea.
I think it’s a good idea. - Spero che tutto vada bene.
I hope everything goes well.
The words “sia” and “vada” in the above sentences are examples of the subjunctive mood.
The subjunctive has its own conjugations that you’ll need to memorize.
The subjunctive is common in both written and spoken Italian. In casual conversations, Italians sometimes skip it and use the indicative instead—but knowing how to use it correctly helps you sound more natural and confident.
Why is the Subjunctive Important?
You don’t need to use the subjunctive in every sentence, but it often shows up in everyday Italian—especially after certain verbs and expressions.
Think of it this way: If you’re saying something personal, emotional, or uncertain, you probably need the subjunctive.
Here are some expressions that typically trigger it:
- È importante che tu studi.
It’s important that you study. - È possibile che sia tardi.
It’s possible that it’s late.
Even if you don’t use it often yourself, it’s essential to recognize the subjunctive when you hear it!
When to Use the Subjunctive in Italian
You’ll use the subjunctive mainly in sentences with two parts: a main clause and a dependent clause introduced by che.
Use it when the main clause expresses:
Opinions or personal thoughts
- Penso che sia interessante.
I think it’s interesting.
Doubts or uncertainty
- Non sono sicuro che lui venga.
I’m not sure he’s coming.
Hopes, wishes, or desires
- Spero che tu stia bene.
I hope you’re doing well.
Emotions
- Mi dispiace che tu non possa venire.
I’m sorry you can’t come.
Impersonal expressions
- È importante che lei studi.
It’s important that she studies.
Common Subjunctive Triggers
Here’s a mini-list of words and expressions that are usually followed by the subjunctive:
| Italian Trigger | English Translation |
|---|---|
| pensare che | to think that |
| credere che | to believe that |
| sperare che | to hope that |
| temere che | to fear that |
| è possibile che | it’s possible that |
| è importante che | it’s important that |
| benché / sebbene | although / even though |
The Most Useful Subjunctive Tenses (Just the Essentials)
The subjunctive has four tenses, but don’t worry—you only need to focus on two for everyday conversations:
Present Subjunctive — Congiuntivo Presente
Use it when the action is happening now or in the future.
- Penso che sia facile.
I think it’s easy. - Spero che tu abbia tempo.
I hope you have time.
Dive deeper and the learn the conjugation:
Past Subjunctive — Congiuntivo Passato
Use it when the action happened before the main verb.
- Penso che lui sia arrivato.
I think he arrived. - Mi dispiace che tu non abbia potuto giocare.
I’m sorry you couldn’t play.
You’ll also hear about:
- Congiuntivo Imperfetto (Imperfect Subjunctive)
- Congiuntivo Trapassato (Past Perfect Subjunctive)
These are great for more advanced learners or literary contexts. If you’re just starting out, feel free to skip them for now!
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Here are some common pitfalls to watch for when learning the subjunctive:
❌ Using the indicative instead
Wrong: Penso che è facile.
Right: Penso che sia facile.
(I think it’s easy.)
❌ Forgetting subject agreement
Wrong: Spero che tu sono felice.
Right: Spero che tu sia felice.
(I hope you’re happy.)
❌ Mixing up the tenses
- Penso che lui sia arrivato. (I think he arrived.)
- Penso che lui arrivi domani. (I think he’ll arrive tomorrow.)
Final Tip
Don’t stress if you don’t get it perfect right away. If you’re unsure, you can use the indicative in casual conversations, but keep practicing the subjunctive in common phrases. Over time, it will start to feel more natural. Start by mastering the verbs “pensare che”, “credere che”, and “sperare che” with the subjunctive—and build from there!
Exercices:
