In Italian, a type 1 conditional (a.k.a. type 1 hypothetical) is a sentence that hypothesizes about the consequences of a situation we think is likely to have been met or is likely to be met in the future, as in “If I earn enough money, I will travel.”
In Italian to express a condition we use the word se meaning if + a clause. We call a sentence that uses a structure like this a periodo ipotetico meaning conditional or hypothetical sentence. Like in English, such sentences have two parts:
an “if clause,” expressing the condition or hypothesis
the main clause expressing the consequence
In this post, we’ll do a brief overview of the three types of hypothetical sentences in Italian and then we’ll get into how to form and use the first type: the ones that are real or likely to happen.
“Senza se né ma” meaning No ifs, ands, or buts. Let’s get started!
What are the types of hypothetical sentences in Italian?
In Italian there are three types of hypothetical sentences. Here they are:
Type 1: Real / Likely We imagine that the condition has been met or will be met in the future. | Se piove, prendo l’ombrello. Translation: If it rains, I will take the umbrella. Se non studi, non passerai l’esame. Translation: If you don’t study, you will fail the exam. Se vieni al mare, porta il costume. Translation: If you come to the beach, bring your swimsuit. |
Type 2: Probable / Unlikely The discussion is hypothetical, but the situation could still come to pass. | Se vincessi la lotteria, smetterei di lavorare. Translation: If I won the lottery, I would stop working. Se smettesse di piovere, andremmo al mare. Translation: If it stopped raining, we would go to the beach. |
Type 3: Impossible The situation we’re describing is hypothetical but it can’t come to pass. It’s too late. | Se avessi studiato, avresti passato l’esame. Translation: If I won the lottery, I would stop working. Se fosse andato in Italia, si sarebbe divertito. Translation: If s/he had gone to Italy, s/he would have had fun. |
As you see in the examples, in Italian, depending on the condition (real, probable, or impossible), the consequence follows the “consecutio temporum” (sequence of tenses) i.e. the harmonious sequencing of verbs (tenses and moods)! Just like in a puzzle, all the pieces (verbs) have to fall in the right place to create a beautiful image!
In this article, we’ll show you how to combine verbs to express a periodo ipotetico where the condition is either real (already true) or likely to be realized. Let’s go over how to construct our Type 1 periodo ipotetico!
Type 1. Real/Likely Hypotheticals: ‘Periodo ipotetico della realtà’
To form Type 1 real/likely hypotheticals (also known as periodo ipotetico della realtà), you will follow one of the general patterns below:
| CONDITION / HYPOTHESIS | CONSEQUENCE |
|---|---|
se + INDICATIVE (present, past, future) | INDICATIVE (present, future) |
se + INDICATIVE (present, past, future) | IMPERATIVE |
The table above gives you the general pattern, but the exact combination of tenses you use will depend on exactly what you’re trying to use your conditional for. Though sometimes Italian follows a pattern that’s familiar from English.
How real do you want to keep it? Well, it depends on the condition! If the condition is real or very likely, then the consequence will express a “degree of probability” that it will occur. This degree is indicated by the combination of tenses and moods you use.
Sometimes, Italian follows the same structure as English, but not always, so we need to pay attention to some “combinations” to grasp the nuances.
Let’s see closely some of these “combinations” to express how likely a condition is to be met!
How to combine verb tenses to express Type 1 hypotheticals?
As mentioned previously, different tense and mood combinations will lead to the degree of likeness. Let’s see some of these “combinations” to express how likely a condition is to be met!
Something that always or almost always happens
CONDITION CONSEQUENCE se + present indicative
present indicative
present indicativeSe parli lentamente, ti capisco.Translation: If you speak slowly, I understand you.You can learn to form the present indicative from our post on the Italian present tense!
There is a strong possibility that something will happen in the future when a condition is met
CONDITION CONSEQUENCE se + present indicative
future indicative
present indicativefuture indicativeSe parli lentamente, ti capirò.Translation: If you speak slowly, I will understand you.You can learn more about how to express the future indicative in Italian from our post on the Italian future tense!
Strong sense of probability that something will happen in the future if a condition is met
CONDITION CONSEQUENCE se + future indicative
future indicative
future indicativeSe partirò, sarò felice.Translation: If I leave, I will be happy.What’s the difference between using the present and using the future in the “if clause?” Using the future in both sentences adds a bit more uncertainty about whether your hypothesis is correct or not!
Making a hypothesis about how a past situation affected the past, present, or future
CONDITION CONSEQUENCE se + past indicative
past / present / future indicative
Check out our post on the passato prossimo to learn more about this common Italian past tense!
- past indicativeSe hai mangiato tutto, sei stato bravo!Translation: If you ate everything, you did a good job!Literally: If you ate everything, you were good.
- past indicativepresent indicativeSe ha mangiato, sono contenta.
- past indicativefuture indicativeHa mangiato Paola? Se ha mangiato, starà meglio.Translation: Has Paola eaten something? If she has eaten, she will feel better.
To give advice or a suggestion based on a possible condition
CONDITION CONSEQUENCE past / present / future indicative
imperative
Remember, the imperative in Italian is the form we use to give a command!
- present indicativeimperativeSe torni tardi, spegni la luce.Translation: If you come late, turn off the light.Literally: If you ate everything, you were good.
- future indicativeimperativeSe farà caldo domani, chiamami!Translation: If tomorrow it is hot, call me.
- past indicativeimperativeSe hai mangiato, non chiedere altro!Translation: If you ate, do not ask for anything else.Here, the negative infinitive is used as an informal command (tu).
To sum up
The Italian periodo ipotetico is made of two parts:
the “if” clause (dependent) indicating the condition, and
the “main” clause, indicating the consequence.
In Italian there are three types of periodo ipotetico depending if the condition is:
Real 👈
Possible/Unlikely
Impossible
In this post, we looked at Type 1 (Real) Hypotheticals, which are is used to express a condition that is real, or very likely to happen, and follows these combinations:
| CONDITION / HYPOTHESIS | CONSEQUENCE |
|---|---|
se + present indicative | present / future indicative imperative |
se + past indicative | past / present / future indicative imperative |
se + future indicative | future indicative imperative |
Ready to practice? Let’s go!
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