How to Say 'I Think Education Is Important' in Italian and Respect Other Views
Learn to state your opinion in Italian with penso che, agree politely, and acknowledge other views without turning a discussion into an argument.
By PookieFriends & plans · Yapr Learn
To share a view in Italian, the most useful structure is penso che (I think that) followed by a verb in the subjunctive. In this lesson you will learn to say that education is important, to soften your opinion so it sounds respectful, and to recognise the difference between simply stating your stance and disagreeing with someone. You will also practise a short exchange in which two people hold different views without becoming confrontational.
By the end, you can…
- state my opinion about education using penso che and the subjunctive.
- soften a view with secondo me and credo che.
- acknowledge another person's view before giving my own.
- tell the difference between sharing a view and disagreeing.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Penso che l'istruzione sia importante.
I think education is important.
PEN-soh keh lee-stroo-TSYOH-neh SEE-ah eem-por-TAN-teh
The core sentence of this lesson. Sia is the subjunctive form of essere after penso che.
Secondo me, l'istruzione è fondamentale.
In my opinion, education is fundamental.
seh-KON-doh meh, lee-stroo-TSYOH-neh eh fon-dah-men-TAH-leh
Secondo me takes the indicative, not the subjunctive: è, not sia. Use it for a direct but polite view.
Credo che sia una questione importante.
I believe it is an important issue.
KREH-doh keh SEE-ah OO-nah kwes-TYOH-neh eem-por-TAN-teh
Credo che works like penso che and also requires the subjunctive sia.
Capisco la tua opinione, però...
I understand your opinion, however...
kah-PEES-koh lah TOO-ah oh-pee-NYOH-neh, peh-ROH
Acknowledges the other person before you present a different view. Però introduces your own stance.
Non sono d'accordo, ma rispetto la tua idea.
I don't agree, but I respect your idea.
non SOH-noh dah-KOR-doh, mah ree-SPET-toh lah TOO-ah ee-DEH-ah
This is explicit disagreement, not just sharing a view. Use it only when you truly differ.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The pattern penso che + subjunctive lets you share a view without sounding blunt. Compare Penso che l'istruzione sia importante (I think education is important) with the more neutral Secondo me, l'istruzione è importante (In my opinion, education is important). After penso che and credo che, use sia for 'is': Penso che sia giusto (I think it is right). After secondo me, use the normal indicative è: Secondo me è giusto. This small choice changes the grammar, not the politeness.
When to use it
Use penso che or credo che when you want to present a personal view and leave room for others: Penso che l'istruzione sia importante per tutti. Use secondo me when you want to be direct but still polite: Secondo me, la scuola è importante. Use capisco la tua opinione, però... when someone has just spoken and you want to respond respectfully. Save non sono d'accordo for real disagreement; it is stronger and should be followed by a reason, for example Non sono d'accordo, ma rispetto la tua idea.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Penso che l'istruzione sia importante per tutti.
I think education is important for everyone.PEN-soh keh lee-stroo-TSYOH-neh SEE-ah eem-por-TAN-teh per TOOT-teeCapisco la tua opinione. Secondo me, però, conta anche la famiglia.
I understand your opinion. In my opinion, though, family matters too.kah-PEES-koh lah TOO-ah oh-pee-NYOH-neh. seh-KON-doh meh, peh-ROH, KON-tah AN-koh lah fah-MEE-lyahSì, sono d'accordo: la famiglia è importante. Credo che entrambe contino.
Yes, I agree: family is important. I believe both matter.see, SOH-noh dah-KOR-doh: lah fah-MEE-lyah eh eem-por-TAN-teh. KREH-doh keh en-TRAM-beh KON-tee-nohEsatto. Non siamo in disaccordo, vediamo la questione da punti di vista diversi.
Exactly. We don't disagree, we see the issue from different points of view.eh-ZAT-toh. non SYAH-moh een dee-zah-KOR-doh, veh-DYAH-moh lah kwes-TYOH-neh dah POON-tee dee VEES-tah dee-VER-seeA little context goes a long way
In Italian conversation, stating a view with penso che or secondo me is common and usually neutral. Direct disagreement with non sono d'accordo can sound sharper than in English, so many speakers first acknowledge the other view with capisco or hai ragione, then add però. In formal contexts, prefer credo che or a softened phrase such as mi sembra che (it seems to me that), which also takes the subjunctive: mi sembra che sia importante.
One thing to watch for
Saying Penso che l'istruzione è importante, using the indicative after penso che.
Try this instead: After penso che, standard Italian uses the subjunctive: Penso che l'istruzione sia importante. If you want the indicative, change the opener to secondo me: Secondo me, l'istruzione è importante. Both are correct, but they follow different patterns.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1Translate: 'I think education is important.'
Show a sample answer
Penso che l'istruzione sia importante.
Penso che requires the subjunctive sia. Credo che l'istruzione sia importante is also correct and slightly more formal.
2Which opener takes the indicative: penso che or secondo me?
Show a sample answer
Secondo me.
Secondo me is followed by the indicative, as in Secondo me, l'istruzione è importante. Penso che and credo che take the subjunctive.
3You partly agree but see things differently. Which phrase fits best?
Show a sample answer
Capisco la tua opinione, però...
This acknowledges the other view before adding your own. Non sono d'accordo is stronger and signals real disagreement, so it fits less well here.
Use penso che + subjunctive to share your view, secondo me + indicative for a direct opinion, and capisco... però... to respect the other person before you respond.
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