A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "The train is late" in Italian
Learn to say 'the train is late' in Italian for travel and navigating delays.
Il treno è in ritardo.
eel TREH-noh eh een ree-TAR-dohneutral
Italian TTS · 0:01
Use this when you're at a train station in Italy and the train you're waiting for hasn't arrived on time. It's useful for asking station staff or fellow travelers for information.
Alternatives
- Il treno fa ritardo.Slightly more active phrasing, common in spoken Italian.
- C'è un ritardo sul treno.Focuses on the existence of a delay rather than the train's state.
Ways to get it wrong
Confusing 'ritardo' with 'attardo'
'Ritardo' means delay; 'attardo' is not a standard Italian word.
Incorrect verb 'essere'
Always use 'è' (is) with 'in ritardo', not 'sta' or other forms.
A small cultural note
Italian trains can sometimes be delayed, so knowing this phrase is very practical for travelers. Be prepared for potential changes to schedules.
Frequently asked
how to ask about train delay italian
You can ask 'Scusi, il treno è in ritardo?' (Excuse me, is the train late?). This is a polite way to inquire about a delay.
what to say if train is very late italian
If the delay is significant, you might say 'Il treno è molto in ritardo.' (The train is very late.) You can also ask for more information about the expected arrival time.
italian for train schedule
The word for schedule is 'orario'. You can ask 'Dov'è l'orario del treno?' (Where is the train schedule?) or 'A che ora arriva il treno?' (What time does the train arrive?).
