Italian grammar
Come se + congiuntivo imperfetto
Describe something by comparing it to an imagined situation, using come se.
From the scene Come se fosse una reggia (As if it were a palace)
In short
Come se takes the congiuntivo imperfetto, even about now: come se fosse una reggia. For earlier: come se avesse visto.
Your turn
Which one goes with as if we were in Versailles?
Options: come se fossimo a Versailles · come se questo fosse una reggia · come se non te ne importasse
Show answer
as if we were in Versailles → come se fossimo a Versailles
How it works
Come se (as if) takes the congiuntivo imperfetto, even when you talk about now: parli come se non te ne importasse (you talk as if you didn't care).
Good to know
It compares reality with something imagined. For something earlier, use avesse / fosse + participle: come se avesse visto un fantasma.
as if this were a palace come se questo fosse una reggia
Nuria
Sua madre decorava come se questo fosse una reggia.
His mother decorated as if this were a palace.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Sua madre decorava (blank).
Options: come se non te ne importasse · come se questo fosse una reggia · come se fossimo a Versailles
Show answer
Nuria
Sua madre decorava come se questo fosse una reggia.
His mother decorated as if this were a palace.
as if we were in Versailles come se fossimo a Versailles
Javi
Con questa lampada, è come se fossimo a Versailles.
With this lamp, it's as if we were in Versailles.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Con questa lampada, è (blank).
Options: come se non te ne importasse · come se fossimo a Versailles · come se questo fosse una reggia
Show answer
Javi
Con questa lampada, è come se fossimo a Versailles.
With this lamp, it's as if we were in Versailles.
as if you didn't care come se non te ne importasse
Nuria
Neanche a pensarci! Parli come se non te ne importasse niente.
Don't even think about it! You talk as if you didn't care about anything.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Neanche a pensarci! Parli (blank) niente.
Options: come se non te ne importasse · come se questo fosse una reggia · come se fossimo a Versailles
Show answer
Nuria
Neanche a pensarci! Parli come se non te ne importasse niente.
Don't even think about it! You talk as if you didn't care about anything.
as if I were a king come se fossi un re
Javi
Va bene, va bene, restano. E io mi siedo qui come se fossi un re.
OK, OK, it stays. And I'll sit here as if I were a king.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Va bene, va bene, restano. E io mi siedo qui (blank).
Options: come se questo fosse una reggia · come se fossimo a Versailles · come se fossi un re
Show answer
Javi
Va bene, va bene, restano. E io mi siedo qui come se fossi un re.
OK, OK, it stays. And I'll sit here as if I were a king.
old furniture mobili antichi
Common mistake
Not è or sarebbe here. Come se always takes this form.
Sua madre decorava come se questo fosse una reggia.
His mother decorated as if this were a palace.
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| as if this were a palace | come se questo fosse una reggia |
|---|---|
| as if we were in Versailles | come se fossimo a Versailles |
| as if you didn't care | come se non te ne importasse |
| as if I were a king | come se fossi un re |
| old furniture | mobili antichi |
More lines from the story
- NuriaGuarda questi mobili così antichi.Look at this furniture, so old.
- NuriaMolto bene, maestà. Ora il re toglie la polvere.Very well, Your Majesty. Now the king does the dusting.