Italian · Time, Numbers & Colors
"Time" in Italian: tempo
il tempo
Note: clock time: l'ora
Time in Italian is often il tempo (TEM-poh), as in non ho tempo (I don't have time). For clock time ask che ora è? Tempo also means weather, so ora keeps clock talk clear.
Busy week
Questa settimana non ho tempo per uscire.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce tempo
Say it
TEM-poh
/ˈtɛm.po/
Tempo is TEM-poh. Ora is OH-rah. In che ora è, stress OH then the open è.
"Time" in Italian: quick reference
| Italian | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| il tempo | time; weather Free time and duration: non ho tempo. | Free time and duration: non ho tempo. |
| l'ora | the hour; o'clock time Clock questions: che ora è? | Clock questions: che ora è? |
| in tempo | on time Arriving punctually. | Arriving punctually. |
| il tempo libero | free time Hobbies and days off. | Hobbies and days off. |
How to use tempo in real life
- 1Busy week
Questa settimana non ho tempo per uscire.
This week I don't have time to go out.
Non ho tempo is the core phrase.
- 2Before a film
Abbiamo tempo per un caffè?
Do we have time for a coffee?
Abbiamo tempo.
- 3Punctuality
Se parti ora, arrivi in tempo.
If you leave now, you'll arrive on time.
In tempo = on time.
Mistakes English speakers make with tempo
Incorrect: Che tempo è? (for the clock)
Correct: Che ora è?
Clock time uses ora. Che tempo fa? is about weather.
Incorrect: Non ho time.
Correct: Non ho tempo.
Use tempo, not English time.
Good to know
Because tempo covers time and weather, beginners lean on fixed phrases: non ho tempo, che ora è?, che tempo fa?. Italians also talk about tempo libero for evenings and weekends.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Squeezing a museum visit into a short stay
ChatPal
Abbiamo poco tempo prima del treno.
We have little time before the train.
You
Allora niente coda lunga. Il tempo non basta.
Then no long queue. There isn't enough time.
ChatPal
Vero. Usiamo bene il tempo nella sala principale.
True. Let's use the time well in the main hall.
You
Ok. Se avanza tempo, guardiamo il negozio.
Ok. If time is left, we'll look at the shop.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Time" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Time" in Italian
How do I ask what time it is?
Che ora è? or Che ore sono?
How do I say I don't have time?
Non ho tempo.
Does tempo mean weather or time?
Both. Phrases decide: non ho tempo is time; che tempo fa? is weather.
How do I say on time?
In tempo or puntuale for a punctual person.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
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