5.3.2: Che programmi hai per cena?
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)Esprimere Intenzioni Future in Italiano
Expressing Future Intentions in Italian
In Italian, there is a specific tense of the indicative mood called the futuro semplice, used to talk about actions that will happen in the future.
However, even before learning how to form and use that tense, you can already express the idea of the future in several natural and common ways.
Italians often use alternative structures, such as stare per + infinitive, certain verb phrases of intention or desire, and even the present tense with future time expressions to talk about plans, intentions, and upcoming actions.
In this section, you will learn how to express what you are about to do, planning to do, or expecting to happen, using familiar vocabulary and everyday contexts
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Recognize and use different structures to express immediate and future intentions in Italian.
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Use stare per + infinitive, avere intenzione di, pensare di, volere, and sperare di correctly in context.
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Apply the present tense with future time expressions to talk about scheduled plans.
Immediate Intention: “Stare per + Infinito”
The structure stare per + infinitive expresses an action that is about to happen very soon or on the verge of occurring.
It corresponds to the English structure I’m about to...
Read the examples carefully and notice how stare per expresses something that will happen almost immediately.
| Structure | Meaning / Use | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Stare (present tense) + per + infinitive | Indicates an action that will happen in a few moments. | Sto per uscire, ti richiamo dopo. (I’m about to go out, I’ll call you back later.) Guarda il cielo! Sta per piovere. (Look at the sky! It’s about to rain.) State per fare un errore! (You are about to make a mistake!) |
Quick Check – “Sta per…”
Complete the sentences using stare per + infinitive with the correct subject form.
Use contexts related to food, family, and daily life.
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Mamma __________ (prepare) la cena.
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Io __________ (ordinare) un caffè al bar.
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Noi __________ (uscire) per andare in pizzeria.
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Guarda il forno! La pizza __________ (bruciare).
Hint: Remember that stare changes with the subject: sto, stai, sta, stiamo, state, stanno.
Immediate Intention (Stare per + Infinito)
Complete each sentence with the correct form of stare per + infinitive to show an action that is about to happen.
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My brother is holding a piece of hot pizza! He is about to (eat) it.
→ Mio fratello tiene un pezzo di pizza calda! Lui __________________ (mangiare) la pizza! -
The waiter has the menu in his hand. He is about to (come) to our table.
→ Il cameriere ha il menu in mano. Lui __________________ (venire) al nostro tavolo. -
Look at the clock! We are about to (leave).
→ Guarda l’orologio! Noi __________________ (uscire). -
The students have their notebooks open. They are about to (start) the lesson.
→ Gli studenti hanno i quaderni aperti. Loro __________________ (iniziare) la lezione. -
After dessert, we are about to (ask) for the bill.
→ Dopo il dolce, noi __________________ (chiedere) il conto.
Future Intentions: Plans, Desires, and Projects
To express an intention, plan, or project for the future, Italian often uses verb phrases (periphrastic expressions).
These are very common in spoken Italian and are followed by the infinitive form of a verb.
Compare the examples. Which structure expresses a plan? Which one a desire? Which one a hope?
| Expression | Meaning (English) | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Avere intenzione di + infinitive | to intend to / to be going to | Ho intenzione di studiare medicina l’anno prossimo. (I intend to study medicine next year.) |
| Pensare di + infinitive | to think of / to be thinking of | Pensiamo di andare in montagna questo fine settimana. (We are thinking of going to the mountains this weekend.) |
| Volere + infinitive | to want to | Voglio imparare a suonare la chitarra. (I want to learn to play the guitar.) |
| Sperare di + infinitive | to hope to | Spero di finire il progetto entro stasera. (I hope to finish the project by tonight.) |
Quick Check – My Plans and Intentions
Choose the correct verb to complete each sentence: avere intenzione di, pensare di, volere, or sperare di.
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Domani __________ andare con gli amici al bar.
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Noi __________ cucinare qualcosa di speciale per la famiglia.
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Io __________ visitare Napoli il prossimo mese.
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Marco __________ finire il lavoro prima di cena.
Then, write one short sentence about your own intention for next weekend.
Plans, Desires, and Projects (Periphrasis with the Infinitive)
Choose the most suitable expression:
Ho intenzione di, Penso di, Voglio, or Spero di,
and complete the sentences with the correct infinitive.
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I haven’t seen in Milan yet. I intend to (visit) it next month.
→ Non ho ancora visto Milano. __________________ (visitare) Milano il mese prossimo. -
It’s cold today. I think of (eat) inside.
→ Fa freddo oggi. __________________ (mangiare) dentro. -
I really love Italian food. I want to (learn) to cook pasta.
→ Amo molto il cibo italiano. __________________ (imparare) a cucinare la pasta. -
My parents just bought a new table. They hope to (invite) the whole family soon.
→ I miei genitori hanno appena comprato un tavolo nuovo. __________________ (invitare) tutta la famiglia presto. -
The menu is expensive, but I intend to (try) the pizza anyway.
→ Il menu è costoso, ma __________________ (provare) la pizza lo stesso.
Present Tense with Future Time Expressions
In Italian, it is very common to use the present tense to talk about future actions, especially when they are planned or scheduled.
This structure always includes a time expression that clearly refers to the future.
Notice that although the verbs are in the present tense, the time expressions make it clear that the actions refer to the future.
| Tense | Common Time Expressions | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Present Indicative | domani (tomorrow), stasera (tonight), la prossima settimana (next week), tra un mese (in a month), fra due giorni (in two days) | Domani vado dal dentista. (Tomorrow I’m going to the dentist.) Stasera mangiamo la pizza. (Tonight we’re eating pizza.) La prossima settimana il treno arriva alle otto. (Next week the train arrives at eight.) Tra un mese partiamo per le vacanze. (In a month we’re leaving for vacation.) |
Quick Check – Scheduled Plans
Choose the correct verb form to complete the sentences. Use the present tense and a future time expression.
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Domani __________ (vedere) i miei amici al bar.
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Stasera noi __________ (mangiare) una pizza con la famiglia.
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La prossima settimana il professore __________ (partire) per Roma.
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Tra due giorni io __________ (visitare) Firenze.
Hint: Don’t use the future tense here. Italian uses the present tense with time words like domani and stasera.
Future in the Present (Present Tense + Future Time Expression)
Rewrite the sentences using the present indicative and the time expression in parentheses.
Example:
Io (visitare) il museo. (Domani mattina)
→ Domani mattina visito il museo.
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Loro (prendere) il treno per Roma. (Stasera alle 19:00)
→ Loro ______________________________________. -
Noi (incontrare) la nostra amica in centro. (Dopo il lavoro)
→ Noi ______________________________________. -
La lezione di cucina (finire) alle 18:30. (Tra poco)
→ La lezione di cucina ______________________________________. -
Tu (vedere) tua zia. (Sabato)
→ Tu ______________________________________. -
Io (andare) a comprare il pane. (Dopo colazione)
→ Io ______________________________________.
Even though Italian has a specific future tense, which you will learn as you progress in your journey, you don’t need to wait until then to express your future plans or intentions.
For now, it’s perfectly fine to use the present tense with future time expressions or simple idiomatic phrases to talk about what you’re going to do.
You already have the tools you need to express the future with confidence!
Distinguishing Future Forms
Match each sentence with the correct type of future expression.
Write:
I = Imminence (stare per)
P = Plan / Intention (periphrasis)
F = Scheduled Event (present + time expression)
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Mio padre ha intenzione di preparare il tiramisù. ( ___ )
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Attenzione! Il cameriere sta per far cadere il piatto! ( ___ )
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Domani il mercato apre alle 7:00. ( ___ )
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Penso di invitare tutta la famiglia per il compleanno di mia madre. ( ___ )
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Stiamo per attraversare la piazza. ( ___ )
Match the Meaning
Match each Italian sentence to its English equivalent.
| Italian Sentence | English Meaning |
|---|---|
| 1. Sto per pagare il conto. | a. I intend to visit Naples next month. |
| 2. Penso di ordinare un panino. | b. I’m about to pay the bill. |
| 3. Domani pranziamo con la nonna. | c. I think I’ll order a sandwich. |
| 4. Ho intenzione di visitare Napoli il mese prossimo. | d. Tomorrow we’re having lunch with Grandma. |
Quick Recognition
Read each sentence and choose which structure it uses.
Write: (1) Stare per, (2) Periphrastic expression, or (3) Present with future time word.
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Domani vado al mercato con mia madre.
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Sto per ordinare un cappuccino.
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Spero di cucinare una buona cena stasera.
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La prossima settimana partiamo per Roma.
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Pensiamo di invitare gli amici a cena.
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Guarda! Sta per piovere!
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Voglio provare una nuova pizzeria domani.
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Tra due giorni il bar apre alle sette.
Complete the Sentences
Use the correct structure to complete each sentence.
You may use stare per + infinitive, avere intenzione di, pensare di, volere, sperare di, or the present tense with a future time expression.
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Io __________ (preparare) il pranzo, puoi aiutarmi?
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Noi __________ (andare) in montagna il prossimo weekend.
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Mamma __________ (uscire) per comprare il pane.
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Marco __________ (volere) aprire un bar nel centro della città.
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Domani sera io e i miei amici __________ (mangiare) sushi.
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I miei genitori __________ (sperare) di visitare Firenze l’anno prossimo.
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Attenta! Il bambino __________ (cadere).
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Noi __________ (avere intenzione di) organizzare una cena di famiglia domenica.
Ora tocca te!
Write three short sentences about your own future intentions.
Use one different structure for each.
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Stare per + infinitive – something you are about to do.
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Periphrastic expression – something you plan, want, or hope to do.
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Present + time word – something already planned or scheduled.