Italian Subjunctive
The Italian subjunctive (congiuntivo) is one of the features that separates basic Italian from truly competent Italian. Unlike in some languages where the subjunctive is fading, Italians notice when you get it right — and when you do not. The congiuntivo appears after expressions of opinion, emotion, desire, and doubt. Learn the triggers and key forms, and you will sound significantly more fluent.
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When to Use the Congiuntivo
The subjunctive almost always appears in a subordinate clause introduced by che (that). The main clause contains a trigger expression.
Opinion and Belief
- Penso che lui sia intelligente. — I think he is intelligent.
- Credo che loro abbiano ragione. — I believe they are right.
- Mi sembra che tu stia bene. — It seems to me that you are well.
Desire and Will
- Voglio che tu venga. — I want you to come.
- Preferisco che lei parli italiano. — I prefer that she speak Italian.
- Desidero che tutto vada bene. — I wish everything goes well.
Necessity and Importance
- Bisogna che noi partiamo presto. — We need to leave early.
- È importante che voi capiate. — It is important that you understand.
- È necessario che lui studi di più. — It is necessary that he study more.
Emotion
- Sono felice che tu sia qui. — I am happy that you are here.
- Ho paura che non capiscano. — I am afraid they do not understand.
Conjunctions
- Benché piova, usciamo. — Although it is raining, we are going out.
- Prima che tu parta. — Before you leave.
- Affinché tutti capiscano. — So that everyone understands.
The golden rule: if the main clause expresses subjectivity (opinion, emotion, desire, doubt), the subordinate clause takes the congiuntivo. If it expresses fact or certainty, use the indicative.
Present Subjunctive: Formation
Regular Verbs
| Pronoun | -are (parlare) | -ere (prendere) | -ire (dormire) | -ire (capire) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| io | parli | prenda | dorma | capisca |
| tu | parli | prenda | dorma | capisca |
| lui/lei | parli | prenda | dorma | capisca |
| noi | parliamo | prendiamo | dormiamo | capiamo |
| voi | parliate | prendiate | dormiate | capiate |
| loro | parlino | prendano | dormano | capiscano |
Notice that the io, tu, and lui/lei forms are identical in the subjunctive. This is why Italians often add the subject pronoun to avoid ambiguity: Penso che tu abbia ragione (I think you are right).
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Key Irregular Verbs
Essere (Full Conjugation)
che io sia, che tu sia, che lui sia, che noi siamo, che voi siate, che loro siano
Avere (Full Conjugation)
che io abbia, che tu abbia, che lui abbia, che noi abbiamo, che voi abbiate, che loro abbiano
Essere and avere are the two most important subjunctive verbs because they also serve as helpers for the past subjunctive (congiuntivo passato): "Penso che sia andato" (I think he went). Master these two and you can form subjunctive versions of any compound tense.
When NOT to Use It
- Same subject: Use infinitive: Spero di venire. (NOT "Spero che io venga.")
- After "secondo me": Secondo me, lui ha ragione. (indicative)
- After "forse": Forse viene domani. (indicative)
- Certainty: È chiaro che ha torto. (indicative)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Italian subjunctive (congiuntivo)?
The congiuntivo is a verb mood used to express doubt, opinion, emotion, desire, or necessity. It appears in subordinate clauses after triggers like "penso che" (I think that), "credo che" (I believe that), "voglio che" (I want that), and "bisogna che" (it is necessary that). It is not a tense but a mood that exists in present, past, and imperfect forms.
Do Italians actually use the subjunctive in daily speech?
Yes, and Italians care about it. Using the indicative where the subjunctive is required is noticed and considered a mark of poor education. While some speakers in informal contexts may skip it, the congiuntivo remains a living, important part of standard Italian. The phrase "congiuntivo è morto" (the subjunctive is dead) is a common complaint, proving it is very much alive.
What are the most important subjunctive triggers?
The top triggers are: penso che (I think that), credo che (I believe that), spero che (I hope that), voglio che (I want that), bisogna che (it is necessary that), è importante che (it is important that), and conjunctions like benché (although), affinché (so that), and prima che (before).
What are the key irregular subjunctive verbs?
The essential irregulars: essere → sia, sia, sia, siamo, siate, siano; avere → abbia, abbia, abbia, abbiamo, abbiate, abbiano; andare → vada; fare → faccia; potere → possa; volere → voglia; dovere → debba; dire → dica; venire → venga; dare → dia; stare → stia.
When should I NOT use the subjunctive in Italian?
Do not use it when the subject is the same in both clauses — use an infinitive instead: "Spero di venire" (I hope to come), not "Spero che io venga." Also, after "secondo me" (in my opinion) the indicative is used because it introduces a statement, not a subordinate clause.