How to Give Opinions in Formal Italian Meetings: "Secondo me" and Professional Alternatives
Learn to state opinions politely in formal Italian meetings with phrases like "A mio avviso" and "Ritengo che," including the subjunctive and register guidance.
By LiamCulture & nuance · Yapr Learn
In formal Italian meetings, stating an opinion is not just a matter of translating "In my view." You need phrases that sound measured and professional, and you often need the subjunctive after verbs like ritenere and pensare. This lesson gives you five reliable expressions for formal contexts, shows the grammar pattern behind them, and practises a short meeting exchange. It does not cover casual opinions with friends, where Italians often use different, more relaxed wording.
By the end, you can…
- state a professional opinion in a formal Italian meeting using at least three different expressions.
- choose between indicative and subjunctive after opinion verbs such as ritenere, pensare and sembrare.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
A mio avviso, la proposta è valida.
In my view, the proposal is valid.
ah MEE-oh ah-VEE-zoh, lah pro-POH-stah eh VAH-lee-dah
Formal and slightly bookish; common in written reports and structured meetings. A mio avviso is followed by a comma and then a normal indicative statement.
Secondo me, dovremmo rimandare la decisione.
In my opinion, we should postpone the decision.
seh-KON-doh meh, doh-VREH-moh ree-man-DAH-reh lah deh-chee-ZYOH-neh
The most frequent everyday professional phrase. It is acceptable in meetings but slightly less formal than a mio avviso. Use dovremmo for a polite suggestion.
Ritengo che questa soluzione sia più efficace.
I believe that this solution is more effective.
ree-TEN-goh keh KWEH-stah soh-loo-TSYOH-neh SEE-ah pyoo eh-fee-KAH-cheh
Formal and assertive. Ritengo che requires the subjunctive: sia, not è. Suitable when you want to sound considered rather than blunt.
Dal mio punto di vista, i costi sono troppo alti.
From my point of view, the costs are too high.
dahl MEE-oh POON-toh dee VEE-stah, ee KOH-stee SOH-noh TROP-poh AHL-tee
Neutral formal register. It introduces a perspective without claiming absolute authority, so it softens disagreement.
Sono d'accordo con lei su questo punto.
I agree with you on this point.
SOH-noh dah-KWOR-doh kon lay soo KWEH-stoh POON-toh
Use lei for one person in a formal meeting; use voi for a group. This phrase supports agreement rather than introducing a new opinion.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
Many formal opinion phrases work as a frame followed by a clause. With secondo me, a mio avviso and dal mio punto di vista, the following verb is normally indicative: Secondo me, il progetto funziona. With ritenere che, pensare che and sembrare che, formal Italian prefers the subjunctive: Ritengo che il progetto funzioni. Compare: Penso che sia necessario aspettare, but Secondo me è necessario aspettare. The meaning is similar, but the grammar and register differ.
When to use it
Use a mio avviso or ritengo che in written minutes, formal presentations and meetings with senior colleagues. Use secondo me when you speak spontaneously but still want to sound professional. Use dal mio punto di vista to introduce disagreement politely: Dal mio punto di vista, la scadenza non è realistica. Avoid casual expressions such as secondo me dai or mah, which belong to informal conversation and can sound out of place in a formal meeting.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Prima di decidere, vorrei sentire la sua opinione sulla proposta.
Before deciding, I would like to hear your opinion on the proposal.PREE-mah dee deh-CHEE-deh-reh, vor-RAY seen-TEE-reh lah SOO-ah oh-pee-NYOH-neh SOOL-lah pro-POH-stahA mio avviso, la proposta è valida, ma i tempi sono troppo stretti.
In my view, the proposal is valid, but the timeline is too tight.ah MEE-oh ah-VEE-zoh, lah pro-POH-stah eh VAH-lee-dah, mah ee TEM-pee SOH-noh TROP-poh STRET-teeCapisco. Ritiene che sia meglio rimandare la decisione?
I understand. Do you believe it would be better to postpone the decision?kah-PEES-koh. ree-TYEH-neh keh SEE-ah MEH-lyoh ree-man-DAH-reh lah deh-chee-ZYOH-nehSì, ritengo che sia più prudente aspettare i dati definitivi.
Yes, I believe it is more prudent to wait for the final data.see, ree-TEN-goh keh SEE-ah pyoo proo-DEN-teh ah-spet-TAH-reh ee DAH-tee deh-fee-nee-TEE-veeA little context goes a long way
In many Italian workplaces, direct disagreement can be softened with a frame such as dal mio punto di vista or vorrei capire meglio. Titles and lei are still common in formal meetings, especially with senior colleagues or clients, though some modern companies use tu. When in doubt, start with lei and switch only if the other person invites you to.
One thing to watch for
Using the indicative after ritenere che: *Ritengo che questa soluzione è più efficace.
Try this instead: Formal Italian normally requires the subjunctive after ritenere che: Ritengo che questa soluzione sia più efficace. If you want to avoid the subjunctive, use a phrase that takes the indicative, for example Secondo me, questa soluzione è più efficace.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1Translate into formal Italian: "In my view, the costs are too high."
Show a sample answer
A mio avviso, i costi sono troppo alti.
A mio avviso is a formal frame followed by the indicative sono. Dal mio punto di vista, i costi sono troppo alti is also correct and slightly more personal.
2Complete with the correct verb form: Ritengo che il progetto ____ (essere) utile.
Show a sample answer
sia
Ritenere che triggers the subjunctive in formal Italian, so essere becomes sia. In informal speech some speakers use è, but that is less appropriate in a formal meeting.
3You want to disagree politely with a senior colleague about a deadline. Which phrase fits best?
Show a sample answer
Dal mio punto di vista, la scadenza non è realistica.
Dal mio punto di vista introduces a personal perspective and softens disagreement. A mio avviso is also possible, but it can sound more categorical.
In formal Italian meetings, choose your frame deliberately: secondo me for spontaneous professional speech, a mio avviso or dal mio punto di vista for measured statements, and ritenere che plus the subjunctive when you want to sound considered and precise.
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