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Se lo sapevo, non venivo alla fiera.

Se lo sapevo, non venivo alla fiera.
If I had known, I wouldn't have come to the convention.
From Lesson 374:Spoken hypothetical imperfect (se lo sapevo...)·Italian

Questions & Answers about Se lo sapevo, non venivo alla fiera.

Why are we using the imperfect indicative (sapevo, venivo) instead of the subjunctive and conditional?
This is the imperfetto ipotetico (hypothetical imperfect). In everyday spoken Italian, native speakers frequently replace the complex tense combination used for impossible past conditions (pluperfect subjunctive + past conditional) with the simple imperfect indicative. It's much faster and easier to say in casual conversation.
What is the strictly correct, "textbook" way to say this?
The standard grammatical version is Se lo avessi saputo, non sarei venuto alla fiera (or venuta if the speaker is female). You should definitely use this standard form in formal writing or on a language exam, but you will hear the double imperfect structure everywhere in daily life.
Could "se lo sapevo" also mean "if I knew it" right now?
Technically yes, but in practice, Italians usually reserve this double imperfect shortcut for past regrets ("If I had known..."). For present hypothetical situations ("If I knew it right now..."), they generally stick to the standard grammar: Se lo sapessi, non verrei.
Does "fiera" just mean "convention"?
Fiera broadly translates to "fair" or "exhibition". Depending on the context, it can refer to a trade show, an expo, a funfair, or a large convention (like Comic-Con or a business expo).

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