Significado
Eventually or after a period of waiting.
Contexto cultural
Time is considered a fundamental ingredient in Italian cooking. Whether it's the 'riposo' (rest) of pasta dough or the years a Balsamic Vinegar of Modena spends in wooden barrels, 'col tempo' is the secret to quality. In the south, there is a more relaxed perception of time compared to the industrial north. 'Col tempo' is often used to remind people that rushing is futile and that life should be savored. The phrase is a staple in Italian songwriting, often used to express the bittersweet nature of aging and the way love changes over the years. Italian artisans (leather workers, violin makers, etc.) believe that their products gain character 'col tempo'. A leather bag is not finished when it's sold; it's finished after years of use.
Use with the Future
Pair 'col tempo' with the future tense to sound more encouraging and natural when giving advice.
Don't use for 'Weather'
Even though 'tempo' means weather, 'col tempo' is almost never used to mean 'with the weather.' Use 'con questo tempo' instead.
Significado
Eventually or after a period of waiting.
Use with the Future
Pair 'col tempo' with the future tense to sound more encouraging and natural when giving advice.
Don't use for 'Weather'
Even though 'tempo' means weather, 'col tempo' is almost never used to mean 'with the weather.' Use 'con questo tempo' instead.
The 'Straw' Proverb
Impress Italians by using the full proverb: 'Col tempo e con la paglia maturano le nespole' when someone is being impatient.
Pazienza!
In Italy, 'col tempo' is often accompanied by a hand gesture (palm up, fingers moving) to signal 'wait and see.'
Teste-se
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the phrase.
Non essere impaziente, ______ imparerai a suonare il piano.
We use 'col tempo' to mean 'eventually' or 'over time.'
Which sentence is the most natural way to say 'Wine improves with age'?
Scegli la frase corretta:
'Col tempo' is the standard idiom for natural maturation.
Complete the dialogue with the most appropriate response.
A: 'Mi mancherà molto la mia vecchia casa.' B: 'Lo so, ma ______ ti abituerai alla nuova.'
The context of 'getting used to something' requires a phrase that indicates a gradual process.
Match the situation to the correct use of 'col tempo'.
Situazione: Un'azienda che sta crescendo lentamente.
This expresses a long-term goal or evolution.
Match the Italian phrase to its English equivalent.
Collega le coppie:
These are common temporal prepositions that learners often confuse.
🎉 Pontuação: /5
Recursos visuais
Col Tempo vs. In Tempo
Banco de exercicios
5 exerciciosNon essere impaziente, ______ imparerai a suonare il piano.
We use 'col tempo' to mean 'eventually' or 'over time.'
Scegli la frase corretta:
'Col tempo' is the standard idiom for natural maturation.
A: 'Mi mancherà molto la mia vecchia casa.' B: 'Lo so, ma ______ ti abituerai alla nuova.'
The context of 'getting used to something' requires a phrase that indicates a gradual process.
Situazione: Un'azienda che sta crescendo lentamente.
This expresses a long-term goal or evolution.
Combine cada item a esquerda com seu par a direita:
These are common temporal prepositions that learners often confuse.
🎉 Pontuação: /5
Perguntas frequentes
12 perguntasNo, it's perfectly correct and slightly more formal. 'Col tempo' is just more common in everyday speech.
Yes. For example: 'Col tempo la casa è andata in rovina' (Over time the house fell into ruin).
Yes, it's one of the most common ways to translate 'eventually' when referring to a natural process.
'Col tempo' is neutral and general. 'Alla lunga' is more informal and often used for results of a strategy or habit.
No. To talk about yesterday's weather, say 'con il tempo di ieri.' 'Col tempo' is an idiom for the passage of time.
Yes, to discuss long-term growth or market evolution.
Use 'in tempo.' Example: 'Sono arrivato in tempo per il treno.'
It can be, especially in songs and literature, but it's also very practical.
Not really. It usually implies a significant enough duration for change to occur (weeks, months, years).
There isn't really a plural for this idiom. 'Coi tempi' means 'with the current trends/times.'
Yes, it is a standard Italian expression used from Milan to Sicily.
Yes. 'Tutto passerà col tempo' is very common.
Frases relacionadas
a lungo andare
synonymIn the long run
alla lunga
synonymIn the long run (informal)
tempo al tempo
similarAll in good time
con il passare degli anni
specialized formWith the passing of the years
subito
contrastImmediately
