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PhrasesWriting Professional EmailsLe chiedo cortesemente una proroga di sette giorni per la consegna.
B2formal

Le chiedo cortesemente una proroga di sette giorni per la consegna.

I am courteously asking you for a seven-day extension for the delivery.

Pronunciation

'Proroga' = PRO-ro-ga; stress on the first syllable.

When to use it

Use when you need more time to deliver something and must formally request an extension from a client, partner, or institution.

What it means

'Proroga' is the Italian term for a formal extension of a deadline. 'Cortesemente' (courteously) makes the request polite. This word is particularly common in public administration and construction, but applies broadly.

Variations

Sarebbe possibile posticipare la scadenza al [data]?

Would it be possible to postpone the deadline to [date]?

Question form; less formal, more conversational

Avrei bisogno di qualche giorno in più.

I would need a few more days.

Very informal; suitable only for trusted colleagues

Chiedo un'estensione dei termini di consegna.

I am requesting an extension of the delivery terms.

'Estensione' is used in modern corporate Italian

Mini Dialogue

Gentile Direttrice Fabbri, le chiedo cortesemente una proroga di sette giorni per la consegna del report finale. A causa di imprevisti tecnici, abbiamo bisogno di tempo aggiuntivo per garantire la qualità del lavoro. Spero in una sua comprensione. Distinti saluti, Tomaso Levi

Dear Director Fabbri, I am courteously asking you for a seven-day extension for the delivery of the final report. Due to unforeseen technical issues, we need additional time to guarantee the quality of the work. I hope for your understanding. Yours sincerely, Tomaso Levi

Cultural Note

Italians tend to be understanding about deadline extensions when given a genuine reason. However, in public sector contracts, proroghe must often be formally approved and documented — a verbal 'sure, no problem' is not enough.