Figurati, non è un problema se arrivi tardi.

Don’t mention it, it’s not a problem if you arrive late.

Breakdown of Figurati, non è un problema se arrivi tardi.

• tu: you
• essere: to be
• non: not
• se: if

Questions & Answers about Figurati, non è un problema se arrivi tardi.

What exactly does Figurati mean here? Is it literally “imagine”?

Figurati is a set phrase. Literally it comes from “imagine (it) yourself,” but idiomatically it means things like “don’t worry about it,” “no problem,” or “you’re welcome.” At the start of this sentence it’s a friendly reassurance that softens what follows.

Is Figurati informal? How do I say it to a stranger or to more than one person?

Yes, Figurati is informal (addressing tu). Variants:

• Formal (Lei): Si figuri
• Plural (voi): Figuratevi

Examples:

• Si figuri, non è un problema se arriva tardi. (formal)
• Figuratevi, non è un problema se arrivate tardi. (plural)

What verb form is figurati, exactly?

It’s the 2nd-person singular imperative of the pronominal verb figurarsi. The -ti at the end is the clitic pronoun “yourself.” In this idiomatic use it isn’t a literal command; it just functions as a polite interjection.

Why is arrivi in the present even though it’s about the future?

After se (if) with a real condition, Italian uses the present indicative for future time. So se arrivi tardi = “if you arrive late (later).” You can put the main clause in the future if you want: Non sarà un problema se arrivi tardi. But not the verb after se.

Is arrivi indicative or subjunctive here?