dovessi

had to, were supposed to, should

→ dovere
dov must; owe + essi 1st/2nd person singular imperfect subjunctive
auxiliary · imperfect tense Rare #24,265
had to, were supposed to, should The exact English translation depends on context.
IT: Se dovessi lavorare domani, ti chiamerei.
EN: If I had to work tomorrow, I’d call you.
Conjugation of dovere
Subjunctive imperfect
SingularPlural
First — dovessimo
Third dovesse dovessero
dovessi

Se io dovessi fallire, cosa direbbero i miei genitori?

If I were to fail, what would my parents say?

Se mai dovessi aver bisogno di qualsiasi cosa, non esitare a chiedere.

If you ever need anything, don't hesitate to ask.

— Tumbbad (2018)

Pensavo dovessi riposare.

I thought you needed to rest.

Non sapevo che dovessi partire.

I didn't know you had to leave.

— Il paziente inglese (1996)

Ho solo pensato che dovessi saperlo.

I just thought you should know.

— Oppenheimer (2023)

Anche se lo dovessi catturare, non cambierà niente.

Even if I were to capture him, nothing would change.

— I Saw the Devil (2010)

Se per caso dovessi cambiare idea, mi vieni dietro.

If by any chance I should change my mind, come after me.

— Central do Brasil (1998)

Pensavo dovessi essere a Boston.

I thought you were supposed to be in Boston.

Che diresti tu, se per pisciare dovessi fare una verticale con la mano?

What would you say if you had to do a handstand to pee?

— Le iene (1992)

Se vi dovessi dire la verità, sareste sorprese.

If I were to tell you the truth, you would be surprised.

Pensavo che dovessi dirglielo io.

I thought I should tell him.

— Anora (2024)

Se le dovessi dire la verità, sarebbe sorpreso.

If I were to tell you the truth, you would be surprised.