Phrases › At the Theatre and Opera › Sono in ritardo. Posso ancora entrare?

Sono in ritardo. Posso ancora entrare?

I am late. Can I still come in?

Pronunciation

SO-noh een ree-TAR-doh. POS-soh AN-koh-rah en-TRA-reh.

When to use it

When you arrive after the performance has started. Italian theatres typically do not admit latecomers until the first natural break in the action.

What it means

Sono in ritardo means I am late. Posso ancora entrare means can I still come in. Italian theatres enforce strict no-late-entry policies and latecomers must wait in the foyer until the interval or a suitable pause.

Variations

Devo aspettare l'intervallo?

Do I have to wait until the interval?

Confirming whether you must wait for the interval.

Quando è il prossimo momento in cui posso entrare?

When is the next moment I can go in?

Asking for the specific next entry point.

C'è un monitor in foyer dove seguire lo spettacolo?

Is there a monitor in the foyer to follow the show?

Many theatres have screens in the foyer for latecomers.

Mini Dialogue

— Sono in ritardo. Posso ancora entrare? — Mi dispiace, lo spettacolo è già iniziato. Dovrà aspettare qui in foyer. — Quando posso entrare? — Al cambio di scena, tra circa venti minuti. C'è un monitor qui dove può seguire. — Grazie. Mi dispiace del ritardo.

— I am late. Can I still come in? — I'm sorry, the show has already started. You will need to wait here in the foyer. — When can I go in? — At the scene change, in about twenty minutes. There is a monitor here where you can follow. — Thank you. I'm sorry for being late.

Cultural Note

Italian opera houses enforce strict late-entry rules out of respect for performers and fellow audience members. At La Scala, latecomers are admitted only at the interval. The no-late-entry policy is announced in the programme and at the box office.

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