Meaning
Noting the time has passed.
Cultural Background
The 'Quarto d'ora accademico' allows for a 15-minute delay without it being considered rude or 'tardi.' Dinner often starts at 9:00 PM or later. Saying 'È tardi' at 10:00 PM might be met with surprise. Punctuality is more strictly observed in cities like Milan. 'È tardi' is used more urgently here. 'Fare tardi' (staying out late) is a common goal for weekend nights out with friends.
The 'Si è fatto' trick
Use 'Si è fatto tardi' to sound more like a native speaker when you want to leave a party.
The 'Io sono' trap
Never say 'Io sono tardi.' It's the most common mistake for English speakers!
Meaning
Noting the time has passed.
The 'Si è fatto' trick
Use 'Si è fatto tardi' to sound more like a native speaker when you want to leave a party.
The 'Io sono' trap
Never say 'Io sono tardi.' It's the most common mistake for English speakers!
Polite Exits
In Italy, saying 'è tardi' is the kindest way to tell a host you are tired without offending them.
Intensifiers
Use 'tardissimo' to emphasize that you are really shocked by the time.
Test Yourself
How do you say 'I am late' in Italian?
Choose the correct phrase:
'Sono in ritardo' is used for people. 'È tardi' is for the time.
Complete the sentence to say 'It has gotten late.'
Si è ______ tardi.
'Si è fatto tardi' is the idiomatic way to say 'it has become late.'
Match the phrase to the situation.
You want to leave a party politely at midnight.
This is the standard polite exit phrase.
Fill in the missing line.
A: Vuoi un altro caffè? B: No, grazie. ________ per il caffè, non dormo poi.
B is saying it's too late in the day to drink coffee.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
È Tardi vs. In Ritardo
When to say 'È tardi'
Social
- • Leaving a party
- • Ending a call
Morning
- • Waking up
- • Rushing to school
Regret
- • Missed deadline
- • Closed shop
Practice Bank
4 exercisesChoose the correct phrase:
'Sono in ritardo' is used for people. 'È tardi' is for the time.
Si è ______ tardi.
'Si è fatto tardi' is the idiomatic way to say 'it has become late.'
You want to leave a party politely at midnight.
This is the standard polite exit phrase.
A: Vuoi un altro caffè? B: No, grazie. ________ per il caffè, non dormo poi.
B is saying it's too late in the day to drink coffee.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
14 questionsNo, you should say 'Il bus è in ritardo.' 'Tardi' refers to the hour, 'ritardo' refers to a delay.
No, it's a neutral statement of fact. However, your tone can make it sound urgent or regretful.
The opposite is 'È presto' (It is early).
You say 'Si sta facendo tardi.'
Only in the expression 'un tiratardi' (a night owl). Otherwise, use 'in ritardo'.
Yes, in modern Italian it is almost exclusively used for time. For 'slow,' use 'lento'.
It means 'See you later.'
Yes, it is the absolute superlative of 'tardi' and is used very frequently.
Yes, this means 'It's late for me' (e.g., I need to go to bed).
Meglio tardi che mai.
It is an adverb, which is why it doesn't change gender or number.
Yes, but 'in ritardo' is more common if you are discussing a deadline.
'Tardi' is the time status; 'serata' is the duration of the evening.
Yes, 'S'è fatta una certa' is a very common Roman/Central Italian slang for 'it's late.'
Related Phrases
In ritardo
similarBehind schedule
Fare tardi
builds onTo stay out late
A tarda ora
specialized formAt a late hour
Tardivo
specialized formLate-blooming / delayed
Presto
contrastEarly / soon
