prenditi il tuo tempo
The English phrase 'take your time' is translated into Italian as prenditi il tuo tempo.
This phrase is used to tell someone that there is no need to hurry.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase prenditi il tuo tempo literally translates to 'take for yourself your time'.
Which one should you use?
While prenditi il tuo tempo focuses on the person's pace, non c'è fretta focuses on the lack of urgency in the situation.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form prenditi il tuo tempo uses the informal singular imperative and is used when speaking to one person you know well.
Did you know?
- The word tempo has a double meaning in Italian, referring both to 'time' and to the 'weather'.
- While prenditi il tuo tempo is a direct translation, Italians frequently use the phrase con calma to express the same sentiment of doing something slowly and carefully.
- The word tempo shares a common ancestor with the English word 'time', both stemming from the Proto-Indo-European root *temp-, which meant 'to stretch' or 'to string'.
Examples in context
- Prenditi il tuo tempo. Non c'è fretta.Take your time. There's no hurry.This sentence is useful for practicing the phrase prenditi il tuo tempo.Tatoeba #5577162 by Guybrush88, translation #56369 by CK
- Oh, prenditi il tuo tempo. Non ho fretta.Oh, take your time. I'm in no hurry.Tatoeba #12516659 by Guybrush88, translation #72130 by CM
- Prenditi tutto il tempo che ti serve per riflettere sulla proposta. Non c'è fretta.Take all the time you need to reflect on the proposal. There is no rush.
- Fai con calma, non c'è problema.Take your time, no problem.
- Prenditi il tuo tempo per scegliere il regalo.Take your time choosing the gift.
Example conversation
Chiara is looking for something in her bag while Alessandro waits.
- AlessandroHai trovato le chiavi?Did you find the keys?
- ChiaraNo, sto ancora cercando, scusa!No, I'm still looking, sorry!
- AlessandroTranquilla, prenditi il tuo tempo.Don't worry, take your time.
- ChiaraGrazie, Alessandro, sei molto gentile.Thanks, Alessandro, you are very kind.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries il, prenditi, tempo, tuo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
