Italian · Everyday Verbs

"to hope" in Italian: sperare

sperare

Say it: speh-RAH-rehverb/speˈra.re/

To hope in Italian is sperare. Everyday: spero che… + subjunctive, or spero di + infinitive. Spero di sì means I hope so.

Weather plan

Spero che non piova domani.
I hope it doesn't rain tomorrow.
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How to pronounce sperare

Say it

speh-RAH-reh

/speˈra.re/

Sperare: speh-RAH-reh. Spero: SPEH-roh. Stress RAH and SPEH.

"to hope" in Italian: quick reference

ItalianEnglish
sperareto hope

Infinitive.

spero / speri / speraI/you/he-she hope(s)

Present.

spero che…I hope that…

Clause + subjunctive.

spero di sì / spero di noI hope so / I hope not

Short replies.

How to use sperare in real life

  1. 1Weather plan

    Spero che non piova domani.

    I hope it doesn't rain tomorrow.

    Spero che.

  2. 2Job wait

    Spero di avere notizie presto.

    I hope to have news soon.

    Spero di.

  3. 3Friend's exam

    Spero proprio che vada bene.

    I really hope it goes well.

    Support.

Mistakes English speakers make with sperare

Incorrect: Spero che piove.

Correct: Spero che piova.

After spero che use the subjunctive: piova.

Incorrect: La speranza che vieni. (as verb line)

Correct: Spero che tu venga.

Prefer the verb spero, not only the noun speranza.

Good to know

Spero di sì is everyday optimism in queues and chats. Spero che… invites the subjunctive—beginners can start with spero di + infinitive. Finger-crossing is optional; tone does the work.

Try it in a ChatPal conversation

Waiting on delayed train news

  1. ChatPal

    Speri ancora nel treno delle otto?

    Do you still hope for the eight o'clock train?

  2. You

    Spero di sì—altrimenti dormo qui.

    I hope so—otherwise I'll sleep here.

  3. ChatPal

    Anch'io spero che parta presto.

    I also hope it leaves soon.

  4. You

    Guardiamo il tabellone ancora.

    Let's check the board again.

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"to hope" in other languages

FAQ

Common questions about "to hope" in Italian

Infinitive?

Sperare.

I hope so?

Spero di sì.

I hope that…?

Spero che… + subjunctive.

I hope to…?

Spero di + infinitive.

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