A2.41: Opinions and negotiations

Opinioni e negoziazioni

Explore practical Italian expressions for sharing opinions and negotiating in daily situations like discussing films, choosing restaurants, and job offers, focusing on verbs like esprimere, proporre, and decidere.

Exercises

These exercises can be done together during conversation lessons or as homework.

Exercise 1: Dialogue Cards

Instruction: Select a situation and practice the conversation with your teacher or fellow students.

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice

Instruction: Choose the correct solution

1. Penso che ___ importante discutere le condizioni di lavoro prima di firmare il contratto.

(I think ___ important to discuss the working conditions before signing the contract.)

2. Se ___ un lavoro migliore, lo accetterei subito.

(If ___ a better job, I would accept it immediately.)

3. Non ___ di no senza prima considerare tutte le opzioni.

(Don't ___ no without first considering all the options.)

4. Spero che domani ___ incontrarci per discutere del progetto.

(I hope that tomorrow ___ meet to discuss the project.)

Exercise 3: Discussing a Project at Work

Instruction:

Durante una riunione importante, io (Esprimere - Presente) sempre la mia opinione chiaramente. Oggi, mentre il capo (Presentare - Presente) il nuovo progetto, tu (Ascoltare - Presente) con attenzione e poi (Proporre - Presente) alcune idee migliorative. Noi (Credere - Presente) che la collaborazione sia fondamentale per ottenere risultati eccellenti. Dopo il confronto, tutti noi (Decidere - Presente) di lavorare insieme per rispettare le scadenze.


During an important meeting, I always express my opinion clearly. Today, while the boss presents the new project, you listen carefully and then propose some improvement ideas. We believe that collaboration is fundamental to achieve excellent results. After the discussion, all of us decide to work together to meet the deadlines.

Verb Tables

Esprimere - To Express

Presente

  • io esprimo
  • tu esprimi
  • lui/lei esprime
  • noi esprimiamo
  • voi esprimete
  • loro esprimono

Presentare - To Present

Presente

  • io presento
  • tu presenti
  • lui/lei presenta
  • noi presentiamo
  • voi presentate
  • loro presentano

Ascoltare - To Listen

Presente

  • io ascolto
  • tu ascolti
  • lui/lei ascolta
  • noi ascoltiamo
  • voi ascoltate
  • loro ascoltano

Proporre - To Propose

Presente

  • io propongo
  • tu proponi
  • lui/lei propone
  • noi proponiamo
  • voi proponete
  • loro propongono

Credere - To Believe

Presente

  • io credo
  • tu credi
  • lui/lei crede
  • noi crediamo
  • voi credete
  • loro credono

Decidere - To Decide

Presente

  • io decido
  • tu decidi
  • lui/lei decide
  • noi decidiamo
  • voi decidete
  • loro decidono

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Opinions and Negotiations in Italian

This lesson focuses on expressing opinions and conducting negotiations in Italian, suited for A2 learners. It covers practical conversations such as discussing a recent film, choosing a restaurant for dinner, and evaluating a job proposal. These dialogues help build confidence in sharing thoughts, agreeing or disagreeing politely, and finding compromises in everyday contexts.

Key Lesson Content

  • Dialogue practice: Learn natural conversational phrases used when exchanging opinions and negotiating decisions. Example phrases include "Penso che..." (I think that...), "Sono d'accordo" (I agree), and "Forse potremmo..." (Maybe we could...).
  • Verb focus: Highlights present indicative verb forms essential for clear communication, such as esprimo (I express), presenta (he/she presents), ascolti (you listen), and proponi (you propose).
  • Negotiation expressions: Useful phrases to compare opinions - for instance, "Non sono d'accordo" (I don't agree), "Capisco, però..." (I understand, but...), helping smooth discussion flow.
  • Conditional and subjunctive mood: Basic practice with sentences like "Penso che sia importante..." demonstrates use of subjunctive to express opinions about necessity or importance.

Focused Vocabulary

  • expressing opinions: pensare (to think), credere (to believe), sembrare (to seem), discutere (to discuss)
  • negotiating: scegliere (to choose), proporre (to propose), accettare (to accept), rifiutare (to refuse)
  • common nouns: film (movie), ristorante (restaurant), lavoro (job), progetto (project)
  • adjectives: interessante (interesting), noioso (boring), tranquillo (quiet), stressante (stressful)

Language and Instruction Notes

Unlike English, Italian extensively uses the subjunctive mood (congiuntivo) after verbs expressing opinions, doubts, or emotions, such as in "Penso che sia importante...". This structure may not have a direct equivalent in English but is key to sound natural in Italian. Italian also prefers formal verb conjugations consistent with the subject; for example, tu proponi (you propose) versus noi proponiamo (we propose).

Useful phrases and differences include:

  • "Sono d'accordo" – "I agree"; useful to show consensus politely.
  • "Non sono d'accordo" – "I don't agree"; a polite way to express disagreement.
  • "Forse potremmo..." – "Maybe we could..."; a gentle way to propose alternatives.
  • Use of "Però" – translates as "however" or "but" and is widely used to balance opinions.

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