The subjunctive is mostly found in dependent clauses. However, there are uses of the subjunctive in independent clauses.
When used in independent clauses, the subjunctive conveys that the speaker is not stating a fact but rather expressing:
- Desire: Almeno piovesse! (If only it would rain!)
- Hope: Che tutto vada bene! (May everything go well!)
- Wish: Magari fosse vero! (If only it were true!)
- Regret: Magari avessi studiato! (If only I had studied!)
- Hypothetical wish: E se andassimo al cinema? (What if we went to the cinema?)
1. Expressing desire and hope with Che + Subjunctive
The conjunction che followed by the subjunctive is used to express hope, desire, or a benevolent wish for something to happen. This construction is often exclamatory and conveys the speaker’s heartfelt wishes.
A. Structure
Che + subjunctive (present or past)
B. Meaning and function
This construction conveys: “May…!” or “Let…!” It expresses a wish for a positive outcome or a hope for a future event.
- Wishing well for others:
- Che tu possa realizzare i tuoi sogni! (May you achieve your dreams!)
- Che il nuovo anno porti gioia e serenità! (May the new year bring joy and peace!)
- Che i tuoi genitori guariscano presto! (May your parents recover soon!)
- Expressing hope for a situation:
- Che finisca presto questa brutta storia! (May this ugly story end soon!)
- Che trovino una soluzione al più presto! (May they find a solution as soon as possible!)
- Che non sia troppo tardi! (May it not be too late!)
- Expressing a desire for someone else’s action:
- Che decida lui una volta per tutte! (Let him decide once and for all!)
- Che se la sbrighi da solo! (Let him handle it himself!)
- Che faccia quello che crede! (Let him do what he thinks best!)
2. Expressing wish and regret with Magari + Subjunctive
The particle magari followed by the subjunctive is one of the most common and expressive ways to articulate wishes, hopes, and regrets in Italian. Magari itself carries the meaning of “if only,” “I wish,” or “would that.”
A. Structure
Magari + subjunctive (present, imperfect, past perfect)
B. Meaning and function
This construction conveys a strong wish for a situation that is not currently true. The tense of the subjunctive indicates the time frame of the wish:
- Wishes for the future (present subjunctive):
- Magari trovi lavoro presto! (May he find a job soon! / I hope he finds a job soon!)
- Magari passi l’esame! (May he pass the exam!)
- Magari guarisca in fretta! (May he recover quickly!)
- Wishes for the present (imperfect subjunctive):
- Magari fosse qui con me! (If only he were here with me!)
- Magari potessi viaggiare di più! (If only I could travel more!)
- Magari avessi più tempo libero! (If only I had more free time!)
- Magari non dovessi lavorare domani! (If only I didn’t have to work tomorrow!)
- Regrets about the past (past perfect subjunctive):
- Magari avessi studiato di più all’università! (If only I had studied more at university!)
- Magari non avessi detto quella cosa! (If only I hadn’t said that thing!)
- Magari fossi partito prima! (If only I had left earlier!)
- Magari avessi seguito il tuo consiglio! (If only I had followed your advice!)
Magari can also be used alone, without a following verb, as an exclamation of strong desire:
- Vuoi venire al mare? Magari! (Do you want to go to the sea? I wish!)
- Hai vinto la lotteria? Magari! (Did you win the lottery? If only!)
3. Expressing desire and hope with Almeno + Subjunctive
The adverb almeno (at least) followed by the subjunctive expresses a wish for a minimum outcome, often a hope that something, even if minimal, will happen. It conveys a sense of resignation combined with desire.
A. Structure
Almeno + subjunctive (present or past)
B. Meaning and Function
This construction conveys: “If at least…!” or “May at least…!” It expresses a modest hope or a wish for a minimal acceptable outcome.
- Wishes for the present/future (present/imperfect subjunctive):
- Almeno facesse bel tempo domani! (If at least the weather were nice tomorrow!)
- Almeno rispondesse al telefono! (If at least he would answer the phone!)
- Almeno ci provasse! (If at least he would try!)
- Almeno non piovesse! (If at least it wouldn’t rain!)
- Regrets about the past (past perfect subjunctive):
- Almeno avessi salutato prima di andare! (If at least I had said goodbye before leaving!)
- Almeno avesse chiamato per avvisare! (If at least he had called to let us know!)
- Almeno fossi arrivato in tempo! (If at least I had arrived on time!)
4. Expressing hypothetical desire with E se + Subjunctive
The conjunction e se (and if / what if) followed by the subjunctive can express a tentative desire or polite suggestion, often in the form of a question. It softens the expression of a wish, making it more indirect and courteous.
A. Structure
E se + imperfect subjunctive (for present/future wishes) or past perfect subjunctive (for past regrets)
B. Meaning and function
This construction conveys: “What if…?” or “How about…?” It expresses a hypothetical desire in a polite, non-imposing manner.
- Polite suggestions (imperfect subjunctive):
- E se prendessimo un caffè insieme? (What if we had a coffee together? – polite invitation)
- E se chiamassimo un taxi? (What if we called a taxi? – practical suggestion)
- E se provassi a parlare con lui? (What if you tried to talk to him? – gentle advice)
- E se ci incontrassimo domani? (What if we met tomorrow? – tentative plan)
- Hypothetical wishes about the present:
- E se fosse ancora possibile? (What if it were still possible? – hopeful doubt)
- E se avessimo ragione noi? (What if we were right? – tentative confidence)
- Hypothetical regrets about the past:
- E se avessi scelto l’altra strada? (What if I had chosen the other path? – retrospective wish)
- E se non avesse detto quelle parole? (What if he hadn’t said those words? – hypothetical regret)
5. Expressing desire with Se + Subjunctive (Without E)
The conjunction se (if) alone, without the introductory e, can also introduce a subjunctive clause expressing a wish or desire, particularly in fixed expressions or literary contexts.
A. Structure
Se + imperfect or past perfect subjunctive
B. Meaning and Function
This construction conveys: “If only…!” It is slightly more formal or literary than magari.
- Se potessi tornare indietro! (If only I could go back!)
- Se almeno avessi saputo! (If only I had known!)
- Se fosse vero! (If only it were true!)
- Se potessi vivere per sempre in questo posto! (If only I could live forever in this place!)
- Se avessi ascoltato i miei genitori! (If only I had listened to my parents!)
- Se non fosse così tardi! (If only it weren’t so late!)
6. The Subjunctive vs. Conditional in Wishes
It is important to distinguish between the subjunctive (for unreal or hypothetical wishes) and the conditional (for polite requests or hypothetical results).
| Mood | Function | Example |
| Subjunctive | Unreal wish about present | Magari fosse qui! (If only he were here!) |
| Subjunctive | Regret about past | Magari avessi studiato! (If only I had studied!) |
| Conditional | Polite request | Vorrei che fosse qui. (I would like him to be here.) |
| Conditional | Hypothetical result | Se fosse qui, sarei felice. (If he were here, I would be happy.) |