The Second Conditional
To talk about hypothetical, unlikely, or imaginary situations—like what you would do if you won the lottery—Italian uses the second conditional (periodo ipotetico della possibilità).
Use the imperfect subjunctive in the se (if) clause for the imaginary condition, and the present conditional in the main clause for the result.
Formula: Se + imperfect subjunctive + present conditional
| If I won the lottery, I would be a very lucky man. | Se vincessi alla lotteria, sarei un uomo molto fortunato. |
| If you had an immense castle, what would you dream of doing? | Se avessi un castello immenso, che cosa sognaresti di fare? |
Reversing the Order
Just like in English, you can flip the order of the clauses. The meaning stays exactly the same, but the verb immediately following se must always be in the imperfect subjunctive.
| Research would help many people if the university financed it. | La ricerca aiuterebbe molte persone se l'università la finanziasse. |
Big Life Changes
When discussing major hypothetical decisions—like quitting your job (licenziarsi) or giving to charity (fare beneficenza)—make sure to conjugate the subjunctive and conditional verbs to match their respective subjects.
| If she won, she would quit her job to fulfill her every wish. | Se lei vincesse, si licenzierebbe per realizzare ogni suo desiderio. |
| If I were rich, I would give to charity. | Se fossi ricco, farei beneficenza. |
| If we had the money, we would finance an organization for the environment. | Se avessimo i soldi, finanzieremmo un'organizzazione per l'ambiente. |
