ti chiamo più tardi
The English phrase "I will call you later" is translated into Italian as ti chiamo più tardi.
You use this phrase to express your intention to telephone someone at a future time. You may also say Ti faccio una chiamata più tardi to mean "I'll give you a call later" or use the phrase Ti telefono dopo to say "I'll phone you later."
Which one should you use?
While più tardi is the standard way to say "later", you can also use dopo to mean "afterwards" or "later" in casual conversation, as seen in the phrase Ti chiamo dopo.
How does it change in a sentence?
In Italian, it is common to use the present tense chiamo to express a future intention instead of using a future tense. For example, Chiamerò is the first person singular future tense of the verb chiamare, but ti chiamo più tardi is a standard way to express the thought. To change who you are calling, you can replace the pronoun ti with vi to say "I will call you all later" (Vi chiamo più tardi).
Did you know?
- While ti chiamo più tardi sounds like a promise to call, in many social contexts it is used as a polite way to end a conversation without a firm commitment to ever call back.
- The word più actually shares an ancient root with the English word 'full' and the Latin word for 'many'. This connects the concept of 'more' to the idea of a larger quantity or fullness.
- The word chiamo comes from the verb chiamare, which in Italian is used both for calling someone on the phone and shouting for them in person.
Examples in context
- No, non ancora. Ti chiamo più tardi per sapere cosa è successo!No, not yet. I will call you later to find out what happened!
- Scusa, non posso parlare, ti chiamo più tardi.Sorry, I can't talk, I will call you later.
- Ti chiamo più tardi per organizzare la cena.I will call you later to organize dinner.
- Non preoccuparti, ti chiamo più tardi.Don't worry, I will call you later.
Example conversation
Sofia is busy at work and Matteo calls her.
- SofiaCiao Matteo, sono in riunione adesso.Hi Matteo, I am in a meeting right now.
- MatteoVa bene, quando hai tempo mi chiami?Okay, will you call me when you have time?
- SofiaSì, ti chiamo più tardi.Yes, I will call you later.
- MatteoPerfetto, a dopo allora.Perfect, see you later then.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries più, tardi, ti, CC BY-SA 4.0.
