Italian Phrase
Sembra che stia per piovere.
Meaning
The sentence means ‘It looks like it’s about to rain.’ It conveys a visual or atmospheric cue (dark clouds, humidity) that suggests rain will start very soon. The use of the subjunctive after ‘sembra che’ signals that the speaker is not stating a fact, but an impression.
When to use
Use this phrase when you notice the sky darkening, hear distant thunder, or feel the air get heavy and want to comment on the imminent rain. It works in casual conversation, small‑talk about the weather, or when warning someone to grab an umbrella.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Sembrachestiaperpiovere
Sembra che + subjunctive
After 'sembra che' the verb is put in the subjunctive mood because the statement expresses uncertainty or appearance.
Stare per + infinitive
The construction 'stare per' + infinitive indicates an action that is about to happen in the immediate future.
Piovere (impersonal verb)
‘Piovere’ is an impersonal verb; it is used only in the third person singular and never has a personal subject.
Word order
In Italian the adverbial phrase ‘per piovere’ follows the verb ‘stia’, keeping the near‑future construction compact.
🗨In Conversation
Sembra che stia per piovere.
It looks like it’s about to rain.
Allora prendiamo i nostri ombrelli, meglio prevenire che curare.
Then let’s take our umbrellas, better safe than sorry.
✕Common Mistakes
Sembra che sta per piovere.
After ‘sembra che’ you must use the subjunctive; the indicative ‘sta’ is incorrect.
Sembra che stia piovere.
Do not drop ‘per’; ‘stia piovere’ loses the near‑future meaning.
Sembra che pioverà.
Mixing the subjunctive construction with the future indicative is redundant; use either ‘stia per piovere’ or ‘pioverà’.
↔Alternatives
Pare che stia per piovere.
It seems that it’s about to rain.
Sembra che la pioggia arriverà presto.
It seems the rain will arrive soon.
Credo che stia per piovere.
I think it’s about to rain.
Cultural Tip
In Italy, weather talk is a common ice‑breaker. Italians often use ‘stare per + infinitive’ to describe imminent actions, especially with weather verbs like ‘piovere’ or ‘nevicare’. The phrase is neutral; you can use it with friends, colleagues, or even strangers without sounding overly formal. In the north, people might add ‘che piove!’ as an exclamation, while in the south they may say ‘si avvicina la pioggia’ for a more poetic tone.