tempo
/ˈtɛm.po/masculine
The Italian word for time is tempo.
tempo is used to denote a measurement of a quantity of time. For example, the phrase tempo libero is commonly used to express 'free time' or 'leisure time'. Depending on the context, tempo can also mean 'weather'.
Meaning: measurement of a quantity of time (noun)
Which one should you use?
While tempo refers to time, it can also mean 'weather' depending on how it is used in a sentence.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some parts of Southern Italy, the phrase Sono le undici e mezza might be expressed as Sono le undici e mezz'ora.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The word is a masculine noun. Its plural form is tempi, which refers to 'times' or 'time periods'.
How do you pronounce it?
{'ipa': '/ˈtɛm.po/', 'syllables': 2, 'stressed_syllable': '1 of 2'}
Did you know?
- Because tempo means both 'time' and 'weather', the Italian phrase for 'bad weather' is brutto tempo, which literally translates to 'ugly time'.
- The word tempo shares the same ancient root as the English word 'tempo' used in music, both originating from the idea of 'stretching' a duration.
- In Italian, the expression fare tempo literally means 'to make time', but it is used to mean 'to waste time' or 'to take a long time'.
Examples in context
- Io non ho tempo.I have no time.This sentence demonstrates how to express having no time using tempo.Tatoeba #1271658 by Guybrush88, translation #249910 by CK
- Non ha il tempo.You don't have the time.This sentence shows the use of tempo when saying someone does not have the time.Tatoeba #13574937 by Guybrush88, translation #2283647 by CK
- Non ho tempo ora.I don't have time now.This sentence is useful for stating that you do not have time at the current moment using tempo.Tatoeba #1012689 by Guybrush88, translation #1012686 by DanaDescalza
- 3252 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Martina and Alessandro are waiting at a train station.
- MartinaHai un po' di tempo per parlare?Do you have a little time to talk?
- AlessandroSì, ho abbastanza tempo prima del treno.Yes, I have enough time before the train.
- MartinaGrazie, Alessandro. Il tempo vola oggi!Thanks, Alessandro. Time is flying today!
- AlessandroÈ vero, Martina. È passato troppo tempo.It's true, Martina. Too much time has passed.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “time” translations and entries tempo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries tempo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
