Emotions are the ultimate subjective experience. In Italian, whenever you express your feelings, attitudes, or reactions to an event, you trigger the subjunctive mood in the following dependent clause.
Happiness and Fear
When you state how you feel using phrases like essere felice (to be happy), avere paura (to be afraid), or avere il terrore (to be terrified), follow them with che and the subjunctive to describe the event causing the emotion.
| I am happy that the mouse is not here. | Sono felice che il topo non sia qui. |
| I am afraid that there is something terrible in the blood. | Ho paura che ci sia qualcosa di terribile nel sangue. |
Surprise and Panic
The same rule applies to moments of shock, surprise, or panic. Expressions like essere sorpreso (to be surprised) or verbs like temere (to fear) also frame the following action through a highly personal lens.
| Marco is in a panic over heights, therefore he fears that the airplane will fall. | Marco è nel panico per l'altezza, quindi teme che l'aereo cada. |
| I am surprised that you cry for nothing serious. | Sono sorpreso che tu pianga per niente di grave. |
Impersonal Attitudes
You do not always need a specific person to express an emotion or attitude. Impersonal phrases that pass judgment or show an emotional reaction—such as è un peccato (it's a pity) or è terribile (it's terrible)—also require che and the subjunctive.
| It is a pity that your flight is not departing today. | È un peccato che il tuo volo non parta oggi. |
| It is terrible that he faints when he sees blood. | È terribile che lui svenga quando vede il sangue. |
