One of our subscribers has asked about the difference between two verbs: immaginare and supporre. Of course, both verbs have English cognates: "to imagine" and "to suppose." But knowing when and how to use them is not always obvious. Let's focus first on immaginare, and we'll save supporre for an upcoming lesson. 

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Immaginare

The verb immaginare can be transitive and it matches up with the English meaning of "imagine." In an episode of Sposami, Ugo wants some comprehension from Nora. She gives him a snappy retort.

Per una volta nella vita, cerca di capirmi, prova a immaginare la situazione. -Cosa devo immaginare, Ugo? L'ho vista la scena.

For once in your life, try to understand me, try to imagine the situation. -What should I imagine, Ugo? I saw the scene.

Captions 36-38, Sposami EP 5 - Part 20

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It can be intransitive and still corresponds to English: 

Ma immagina quando fra dieci, vent'anni il mercato richiederà soltanto calcolatori elettronici.

But imagine when, in ten, twenty years, the market will be asking for electronic calculators only.

Captions 27-28, Adriano Olivetti La forza di un sogno Ep.2 - Part 15

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Immaginare can be used with a reflexive ending to add some personal reinforcement.

Immaginati la sorpresa quando ho scoperto che dopo tutti questi anni eri diventata... Un poliziotto? -No! Bellissima!

Imagine [for yourself] my surprise when I discovered that after all these years you had become... A cop? -No! Beautiful!

Captions 6-9, Il Commissario Manara S1EP6 - Reazione a Catena - Part 14

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In English, when we give a short answer, we usually say "I can imagine," in other words, using a modal verb before the main verb. In Italian, we can just use the verb itself with no modal verb before it. 

Poi io so' [sono] passato a lavorare nello studio e mi occupo un po' di tutto... un incarico di fiducia. -Immagino.

Then I began working in the office and I handle a little bit of everything... a position of trustworthiness. -I can imagine.

Captions 54-56, I Bastardi di Pizzofalcone EP1 I Bastardi - Part 11

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We can also use the modal verb potere (to be able to) as an option.

Non mi sono ancora ripreso da questa tragedia, ve lo confesso. -Posso immaginare.

I haven't yet recovered from this tragedy, I'll confess it to you. -I can imagine.

Captions 6-7, I Bastardi di Pizzofalcone EP4 Gelo - Part 10

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The verb immaginare is also used like "to suppose,"  "to think," "to believe," and "to guess." Although we used the cognate in the translation to facilitate remembering the word, other words could work, too. This is a case in which immaginare and supporre are interchangeable. 

Immagino che vorrà parlarmi di Donata Miulli.

I imagine that you will want to talk to me about Donata Miulli.

I suppose that you will want to talk to me about Donata Miulli.

I guess that you will want to talk to me about Donata Miulli.

Caption 30, Imma Tataranni Sostituto procuratore S1 EP 4 Maltempo - Part 23

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Since both verbs have to do with hypothesis rather than certainty, they often take the subjunctive when followed by the conjunction che. 

Immagino che si tratti del sequestro De Carolis.

I guess [that] it is about the De Carolis kidnapping.

Caption 61, Il Commissario Manara S2EP10 -La verità nascosta - Part 7

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In English we often say, "I suppose so," "I think so," "I guess so," etc. It's important to keep in mind that in Italian, this "so" is expressed with di sì. We translated immagino di sì with "I imagine so," but it could also have  been "I guess so" or "I think so."

Ma, quindi, Grazia faceva la modella? Immagino di sì. Casa sua era piena di foto di questo tipo, quindi immagino di sì.

But, so, Grazia was a model? I imagine so. Her house was full of photos like this, so I imagine so.

Captions 60-61, I Bastardi di Pizzofalcone EP4 Gelo - Part 5

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In Part 2, we'll focus on supporre.

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