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PhrasesAt the Bus StopL'autobus è in ritardo?
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L'autobus è in ritardo?

Is the bus late?

Pronunciation

'Ritardo' — 'ri-TAR-do'. The 'r' at the start is lightly trilled.

When to use it

Use after the scheduled departure time has passed and you want to confirm with other waiting passengers whether the bus is simply delayed.

What it means

'In ritardo' is the standard Italian expression for 'late' (literally 'in delay'). It is used for transport, appointments, and people alike. 'È' is the present of 'essere'.

Variations

Il bus è già passato?

Has the bus already gone?

Useful if you suspect you missed it.

Quanto ritardo ha?

How late is it?

Asks for the amount of delay once you know it is late.

Sa se viene?

Do you know if it's coming?

Colloquial; expresses doubt about whether the bus will arrive at all.

Mini Dialogue

— L'autobus è in ritardo? — Sì, di solito arriva con venti minuti di ritardo. — Ogni giorno? — Quasi. Siamo abituati.

— Is the bus late? — Yes, it usually arrives twenty minutes late. — Every day? — Almost. We're used to it.

Cultural Note

In Italy, transport delays are so common that there is a popular saying: 'L'autobus è sempre in ritardo, ma l'italiano non è mai in anticipo' — meaning both the bus and the passenger tend to run late.