Breakdown of L'ottico mi ha domandato se ci vedessi bene.
bene
well
se
if
mi
to me
domandare
to ask (a question)
vederci
to be able to see (non ci vedo = I can't see)
l'ottico
the optician (m)
Questions & Answers about L'ottico mi ha domandato se ci vedessi bene.
Why is there a "ci" before the verb in "ci vedessi"?
This uses the pronominal verb vederci. While vedere simply means "to see" a specific object, adding the particle ci turns it into vederci, which focuses on the physical capacity of sight. It doesn't mean "us" or "there" in this context; it just means having the general physical ability to see.
Would it be wrong to just say "se vedessi bene" without the "ci"?
Yes, in this context it would sound very strange. Vedere without ci generally requires a direct object, like seeing a specific movie or sign. When talking about your overall eyesight or physical ability to see—which is exactly what an optician checks—you must use vederci.
Why is the verb "vedessi" in the imperfect subjunctive form here?
This is a classic example of reported speech (an indirect question) in the past. The clause is introduced by se (if/whether), which triggers the subjunctive for indirect questions expressing uncertainty. Because the main verb ha domandato is in a past tense, the sequence of tenses dictates that we use the imperfect subjunctive (vedessi) to show the ability to see was happening at the same time as the asking.
The imperfect subjunctive form "vedessi" can mean "I" or "you". How do we know it means "I" in this sentence?
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