Learn Hardcore Italian: Se l’arcobaleno sparisse, scatteremmo lo stesso una foto al cielo. - If the rainbow disappeared, we would still take a photo of the sky.

Because this sentence expresses a hypothetical, unlikely situation in the present or future (“if the rainbow were to disappear”). Italian uses the imperfect subjunctive in the “if” clause (protasis) of a second-type conditional. The structure is:

se + imperfect subjunctive (e.g. sparisse)
main clause with present conditional (e.g. scatteremmo)

Using the imperfect indicative (spariva) would signal a recurring or factual past action, not an unreal hypothesis.

Why is scatteremmo used and what exactly does it mean?

Scatteremmo is the first-person plural of the present conditional of scattare (“to shoot/take [a photo]”). In a second-type conditional, the main clause takes the present conditional to say “we would …”. So scatteremmo lo stesso una foto means “we would still take a photo.”

What role does lo stesso play in this sentence?

Lo stesso here means “anyway,” “still,” or “nevertheless.” It shows that even if the rainbow disappeared, they would take the photo just the same. It emphasizes that the action is unaffected by the condition.

Why is it una foto al cielo rather than una foto del cielo?

With scattare (to take a photo), you commonly use the preposition a before the subject of the photo:

scattare una foto a qualcuno/qualcosa → scattare una foto al cielo

You could also say una foto del cielo (“a photo of the sky”), but pairing scattare with a is more idiomatic for marking what you’re photographing.

Why does l’arcobaleno have an apostrophe?

In Italian, the masculine definite article il contracts to l’ before a vowel for euphony:

il + arcobaleno → l’arcobaleno

This makes pronunciation smoother.

Why use the definite article l’ with arcobaleno instead of an indefinite article?

Using l’arcobaleno (“the rainbow”) refers to the concept or phenomenon of rainbows in general. In English we also say “if the rainbow disappeared” when speaking of the idea of a rainbow, not a specific one. Saying un arcobaleno would imply “a certain rainbow” and shift the nuance to a particular instance.

What type of conditional sentence is this in Italian?

This is a second-type (contrary-to-fact) conditional for present/future time. Its characteristics:

Hypothetical or unlikely scenario
Protasis: se
- imperfect subjunctive (sparisse)
Apodosis: present conditional (scatteremmo)

Could we rephrase it as a first conditional (real possibility)? How?

Yes. If you want to talk about a real or likely possibility, use:

protasis: se
- present indicative
apodosis: future tense

Example:
Se l’arcobaleno sparisce, scatteremo lo stesso una foto al cielo.
(“If the rainbow disappears, we will still take a photo of the sky.”)