Question 1

Why is there a non at the beginning if the sentence already has mai (never)?

Accepted Answer

In Italian, expressing "never" requires a double negative if the word mai comes after the verb. You put non before the verb and mai immediately after it, which literally translates to "I don't think never."

Question 2

Why does it say alla (to the) instead of using an Italian word for "about"?

Accepted Answer

When you direct your thoughts toward someone or something, the verb pensare (to think) pairs with the preposition a (to). So instead of "thinking about" something, Italians "think to" it.

Question 3

Why is it alla morte (to the death) instead of just a morte?

Accepted Answer

In English, we just say "death" when talking about it as a general concept. Italian, however, requires definite articles (like il or la) for abstract nouns and broad concepts. So "death" is la morte, and combining a + la gives us alla.

Question 4

If I wanted to put this in the past tense, would I use the passato prossimo or the imperfetto?

Accepted Answer

It depends on your meaning! To describe a past habit or an ongoing state of mind ("I never used to think about death"), use the imperfetto: Non pensavo mai alla morte. To state a fact about your life experience up to now ("I have never thought about death"), use the passato prossimo: Non ho mai pensato alla morte.

Non penso mai alla morte.

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