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How to Say ‘Sorry I'm late.’ in Italian

Scusa il ritardo.

SKOO-zah eel ree-TAR-doh

[SKOO-zah eel ree-TAR-doh]

🇮🇹 In Italy: Arriving ten or fifteen minutes late to a date is common in Italy and rarely a big deal. A quick scusa is plenty, with no long explanation needed.

Phrase Breakdown

Scusa

[SKOO-zah]

sorry

Feeling regret or penitence.

Example

Devo dire scusa per il ritardo.

I must say sorry for the delay.

[eel]

the

Masculine singular definite article used before a masculine singular noun.

Example

Nella frase Il tempo personale, Il introduce il concetto di tempo privato.

In the phrase 'Il tempo personale,' 'Il' introduces the concept of private time.

ritardo

[ree-TAR-doh]

delay, lateness

Masculine noun for being late; 'in ritardo' means late.

Example

Il treno è in ritardo.

The train is late.

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