Breakdown of Pensi che il negozio sia aperto? Penso di sì.
essere
to be
il negozio
the shop
aperto
open
pensare
to think
che
that (conjunction introducing a clause)
penso di sì
I think so (penso di no = I think not)
Questions & Answers about Pensi che il negozio sia aperto? Penso di sì.
Why is the verb sia used here instead of è?
The verb pensare (to think) expresses an opinion. When you use pensare che (to think that), it triggers the subjunctive mood for the following verb because it introduces subjectivity. Sia is the present subjunctive form of essere (to be) for the shop.
Why does the reply use di in Penso di sì?
In English, we say 'I think so' or 'I hope so'. In Italian, verbs of thinking, hoping, or saying are followed by the preposition di when paired with sì (yes) or no. You will frequently use phrases like penso di sì, spero di no, and dico di sì.
Can I leave out che and just say Pensi il negozio sia aperto?
No, you must always include che. In English, it is perfectly fine to drop the word 'that' and ask 'Do you think the shop is open?'. In Italian, the conjunction che is absolutely required to connect the two parts of the sentence.
Since sia is the subjunctive form for I, you, and he/she/it, how do people know who we are talking about?
Context usually gives it away. Because the present subjunctive forms for io, tu, and lui/lei are all exactly the same (sia), Italians often state the subject explicitly if there is any risk of confusion. Here, the subject il negozio makes it perfectly clear.
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