Italian for Intermediate Learners: Expressing Superstitions and Beliefs
Learn to talk about superstitions in Italian using 'portare fortuna' and 'portare sfortuna', with common beliefs and the subjunctive after 'credere che'.
By MarcusFood & cafés · Yapr Learn
In Italian, superstitions are everyday conversation topics, and expressing them requires specific structures. You will learn to say that something brings good or bad luck using 'portare fortuna' or 'portare sfortuna'. You will also use 'credere che' plus the subjunctive to talk about what people believe. This lesson focuses on these patterns so you can discuss beliefs like 'Eating lentils on New Year brings money' accurately and naturally.
By the end, you can…
- state that an action or object brings good or bad luck using 'portare fortuna/sfortuna'.
- express beliefs with 'credere che' and the subjunctive.
- ask and answer questions about superstitions in Italian.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Mangiare lenticchie a Capodanno porta fortuna.
Eating lentils on New Year brings luck.
mahn-JAH-reh len-TEET-cheh ah kah-poh-DAHN-noh POR-tah for-TOO-nah
Common belief: lentils symbolize money and are eaten on New Year's Eve.
Credo che porti fortuna.
I believe it brings luck.
KREH-doh keh POR-tee for-TOO-nah
Use 'credere che' + subjunctive (porti) to express personal belief.
Non credo che porti sfortuna.
I don't believe it brings bad luck.
nohn KREH-doh keh POR-tee sfohr-TOO-nah
Negated 'credere' also triggers the subjunctive.
Si dice che il gatto nero porti sfortuna.
It is said that a black cat brings bad luck.
see DEE-cheh keh eel GAHT-toh NEH-roh POR-tee sfohr-TOO-nah
Impersonal 'si dice che' introduces common superstitions.
Toccare ferro porta bene.
Touching iron brings good luck.
tohk-KAH-reh FEHR-roh POR-tah BEH-neh
Gesture to ward off bad luck; 'portare bene' is informal for bringing good luck.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To say that something brings luck or bad luck, use 'portare fortuna' or 'portare sfortuna'. The subject can be an action (infinitive) or a noun. Examples: 'Mangiare lenticchie porta fortuna.' (Eating lentils brings luck.) 'Il gatto nero porta sfortuna.' (The black cat brings bad luck.) For personal beliefs, use 'credere che' + subjunctive: 'Credo che mangiare lenticchie porti fortuna.' The subjunctive form 'porti' is used for first person singular ('che io porti'), second person singular ('che tu porti'), and third person singular ('che lui/lei porti'). Remember that 'fortuna' means luck, while 'sfortuna' means bad luck.
When to use it
Use these expressions when discussing superstitions, traditions, or personal beliefs. 'Portare fortuna' is neutral and common in everyday conversation. 'Credere che' is used to express opinions or beliefs, and it normally requires the subjunctive mood in the dependent clause. For example, 'Credo che il sale porti sfortuna.' (I believe salt brings bad luck.) If you want to report what people say, use 'Si dice che...' (It is said that...) followed by the subjunctive: 'Si dice che aprire l'ombrello in casa porti sfortuna.' (It is said that opening an umbrella indoors brings bad luck.)
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Sai che mangiare lenticchie a Capodanno porta fortuna?
Do you know that eating lentils on New Year brings luck?sigh keh mahn-JAH-reh len-TEET-cheh ah kah-poh-DAHN-noh POR-tah for-TOO-nahSì, lo so. Credo che porti anche soldi.
Yes, I know. I believe it also brings money.see loh soh. KREH-doh keh POR-tee AHN-keh SOHL-deeE tu credi che il gatto nero porti sfortuna?
And do you believe that a black cat brings bad luck?eh too KREH-dee keh eel GAHT-toh NEH-roh POR-tee sfohr-TOO-nahNo, non ci credo. Ma tocco ferro per sicurezza.
No, I don't believe it. But I touch iron just in case.noh nohn chee KREH-doh. mah TOHK-koh FEHR-roh pehr see-koor-ET-tsahA little context goes a long way
In Italy, superstitions vary by region. For example, touching iron ('toccare ferro') is very common in the south, while in the north some people knock on wood ('toccare legno'). The expression 'portare fortuna' is standard throughout Italy, but 'portare bene' is more colloquial and used in informal contexts. When discussing superstitions, Italians often use the subjunctive after 'credere che', but in casual speech, the indicative may occasionally be heard, though it is considered less correct.
One thing to watch for
Using the indicative instead of the subjunctive after 'credere che', e.g., 'Credo che porta fortuna.'
Try this instead: The correct form requires the subjunctive: 'Credo che porti fortuna.' The subjunctive 'porti' is used for the first, second, and third person singular. For plural, use 'portino': 'Credo che portino fortuna.'
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you say 'I believe that eating lentils brings luck' in Italian?
Show a sample answer
Credo che mangiare lenticchie porti fortuna.
This uses 'credere che' + subjunctive 'porti' for third person singular. The infinitive 'mangiare' serves as the subject. Alternative: 'Penso che mangiare lenticchie porti fortuna.'
2Translate: 'It is said that a black cat brings bad luck.'
Show a sample answer
Si dice che il gatto nero porti sfortuna.
'Si dice che' introduces the belief, followed by the subjunctive 'porti'. 'Sfortuna' means bad luck. Alternative: 'Dicono che il gatto nero porti sfortuna.'
3What is the correct subjunctive form in: 'Non credo che tu (avere) ragione'?
Show a sample answer
abbia
The subjunctive of 'avere' for 'tu' is 'abbia'. So: 'Non credo che tu abbia ragione.' This is a common structure for expressing disbelief.
Use 'portare fortuna/sfortuna' to state what brings luck, and 'credere che' + subjunctive to express beliefs. Remember the subjunctive forms: porti, portino, abbia, etc.
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