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Temo che non capiscano il problema.

Temo che non capiscano il problema.
I fear they don't understand the problem.
From Lesson 180:Present subjunctive of -ere and -ire verbs (-a, -iamo, -iate, -ano)·Italian

Questions & Answers about Temo che non capiscano il problema.

Why is the subjunctive used here instead of the regular present tense?
The verb temo (I fear) expresses an emotion. In Italian, verbs expressing emotion, fear, hope, or personal opinion in the main clause require the dependent clause (the part after che) to use the subjunctive mood.
How is the verb capiscano formed?
Capire (to understand) is a regular -ire verb that requires the -isc- insert. To form the present subjunctive for the 'they' (loro) form, you take the root capisc- and add the subjunctive ending -ano.
How does capiscano differ from the normal present tense 'they understand'?
In the regular present tense (indicative), 'they understand' is capiscono, ending in -ono. In the present subjunctive, regular -ere and -ire verbs take the ending -ano for the 'they' form, which gives us capiscano.
Why is it il problema if the word ends in -a?
While most Italian words ending in -a are feminine, words of Greek origin ending in -ma (like problema, sistema, and programma) are exceptions. They are masculine, which is why it uses the masculine article il.

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