Bedeutung
To arrive late intentionally.
Kultureller Hintergrund
In elite social circles, arriving exactly on time is often seen as 'borghese' (middle-class). 'Farsi attendere' is a way to signal that you have a busy, important life. In the South, time is often perceived more elastically. 'Farsi attendere' might be used more playfully among friends to describe someone's habitual lateness. TV hosts often use this phrase when introducing a guest who hasn't been on screen for a long time. While 'farsi attendere' is a power move, doing it in a formal business meeting with international partners is increasingly frowned upon in modern Italy.
Use with Seasons
To sound like a native, use it when a season is late. 'L'estate si fa attendere' sounds much more natural than 'L'estate è in ritardo'.
Avoid in Job Interviews
Never use this to describe why you were late to an interview. It implies you think you are more important than the employer.
Bedeutung
To arrive late intentionally.
Use with Seasons
To sound like a native, use it when a season is late. 'L'estate si fa attendere' sounds much more natural than 'L'estate è in ritardo'.
Avoid in Job Interviews
Never use this to describe why you were late to an interview. It implies you think you are more important than the employer.
The 'Diva' Nuance
If you say this about a friend, be careful with your tone. It can be a compliment (you're a star) or a complaint (you're arrogant).
Teste dich selbst
Complete the sentence with the correct form of 'farsi attendere' in the passato prossimo.
La sposa ________ (farsi attendere) per mezz'ora davanti alla chiesa.
The subject is 'La sposa' (feminine singular), so we need 'si è fatta'.
Which situation best fits the phrase 'farsi attendere'?
Quale situazione è adatta?
'Farsi attendere' implies a level of intentionality or status, typical of a celebrity.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 'Perché non hai ancora chiamato Luca?' B: 'Voglio ________ un po', così capisce che sono impegnata.'
The speaker wants to make *herself* be waited for.
Match the sentence to the context.
1. 'La pioggia si fa attendere.' 2. 'Il divo si è fatto attendere.' 3. 'Non farti attendere!'
1 matches weather, 2 matches celebrity behavior, 3 is a command/advice.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Lateness in Italian
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenLa sposa ________ (farsi attendere) per mezz'ora davanti alla chiesa.
The subject is 'La sposa' (feminine singular), so we need 'si è fatta'.
Quale situazione è adatta?
'Farsi attendere' implies a level of intentionality or status, typical of a celebrity.
A: 'Perché non hai ancora chiamato Luca?' B: 'Voglio ________ un po', così capisce che sono impegnata.'
The speaker wants to make *herself* be waited for.
1. 'La pioggia si fa attendere.' 2. 'Il divo si è fatto attendere.' 3. 'Non farti attendere!'
1 matches weather, 2 matches celebrity behavior, 3 is a command/advice.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenNot always. It can be used positively to describe something highly anticipated, like a long-awaited baby or a holiday.
Yes, 'Il treno si è fatto attendere' is very common when a train is late.
'Attendere' is slightly more formal and elegant, fitting for C1 level. 'Aspettare' is more common in everyday speech.
Ci siamo fatti attendere (masculine/mixed) or Ci siamo fatte attendere (feminine).
Yes, if you are apologizing for a long-delayed reply: 'La mia risposta si è fatta attendere, mi scuso.'
Usually, yes, or at least that the delay is significant enough to be noteworthy.
No, it is a standard idiomatic expression appropriate for all levels of formality.
There isn't a direct idiomatic opposite, but 'essere spaccato' (to be exactly on time) is a good contrast.
No, that would mean 'I am intentionally making you wait for me'. Just say 'Sto arrivando'.
Yes, frequently, to describe the arrival of important characters or the resolution of a plot.
Verwandte Redewendungen
farsi desiderare
similarTo make oneself desired/wanted.
essere in ritardo
contrastTo be late.
tardare
similarTo delay or be late.
fare il prezioso
specialized formTo act like one is too valuable/precious.
lasciarsi attendere
synonymTo let oneself be waited for.
