Can you call me back later?
Stress 'ri-chia-MAR-mi'. 'Più tardi' = pyoo-TAR-di — later.
Use this when you're busy or unable to talk and want the caller to try again later. Or use it when you want to call someone back yourself.
'Richiamare' = to call back. 'Mi' = me (indirect object). 'Può' = can you (formal Lei). 'Più tardi' = later. If you want to promise to call back yourself: 'La richiamo io più tardi' (I'll call you back later).
La richiamo tra un'ora.
I'll call you back in an hour.
Promising a callback time.
Adesso non posso parlare.
I can't talk right now.
Explaining why you're busy.
Può chiamare dopo le tre?
Can you call after three?
Suggesting a time.
Italian phone etiquette expects you to state your availability clearly. Saying 'ti richiamo io' (I'll call you back) and then forgetting to do so is considered poor manners ('maleducazione'). Italians tend to follow through on callback promises, as not doing so reflects badly on one's reliability ('affidabilità').