Learn Hardcore Italian: Figurati, non è un problema se arrivi tardi. - Don’t mention it, it’s not a problem if you arrive late.

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?

Indicative. In real conditional clauses introduced by se, Italian uses the indicative. The form arrivi looks like subjunctive for -are verbs, but here it functions as indicative. A more hypothetical version would be: Qualora arrivassi tardi, non sarebbe un problema (subjunctive + conditional).

Can I say se arriverai tardi?

Avoid it in standard Italian. In se-clauses expressing conditions, use the present indicative: se arrivi tardi. Using the future (se arriverai) is generally felt as incorrect or at least odd, outside of special emphatic or literary contexts.

What’s the difference between arrivare tardi, arrivare in ritardo, and fare tardi?

arrivare tardi: to arrive late (neutral, everyday).
arrivare in ritardo: also “to arrive late,” slightly more formal/precise; common with schedules (work, trains).
fare tardi: to be out late / end up being late because something ran long. Example: Stasera faccio tardi, ma se arrivo tardi non è un problema?

Why is it un problema and not una problema?

Problema is masculine in Italian despite ending in -a (it comes from Greek). So: un problema, il problema, i problemi, nessun problema.

What are other natural ways to say the same idea?

Figurati, non c’è problema se arrivi tardi.
Figurati, non importa se arrivi tardi.
Nessun problema se arrivi tardi.
Tranquillo/a, puoi anche arrivare tardi.
More colloquial: Ci mancherebbe, se arrivi tardi va bene.

Do I need a comma or an exclamation mark after Figurati?

Either works, depending on tone:

Soft/neutral: Figurati, non è un problema...
Emphatic/reassuring: Figurati! Non è un problema... No comma is needed before se in the rest of the sentence.

Can I switch the order of the clauses?

Yes:

Figurati, non è un problema se arrivi tardi.
Figurati, se arrivi tardi non è un problema. If the se-clause comes first, use a comma after it: Se arrivi tardi, non è un problema.

Do I need to include the subject tu?

No. Italian normally drops subject pronouns: se arrivi tardi already implies “you.” Add tu only for emphasis/contrast: Non è un problema se tu arrivi tardi, ma lui no.

Could Figurati be sarcastic?

Yes. With certain intonation/context, Figurati! can mean “yeah, right!” or “as if!” In your sentence, paired with a reassuring message, it’s clearly friendly, not sarcastic.

Is tardi an adverb? How is it different from tardo?

tardi is an adverb (“late”), invariable: arrivo tardi, troppo tardi, fino a tardi.
tardo is an adjective (“late” as a quality of a noun): l’ora tarda, il tardo pomeriggio.

Can I replace se with anche se?

You can, but the nuance changes:

se arrivi tardi = conditional “if you arrive late.”
anche se arrivi tardi = concessive “even if you arrive late (I still don’t mind).” Both take the indicative.

Could I say non è un problema arrivare tardi instead?

Yes, but that’s a general statement (“arriving late isn’t a problem”) rather than a conditional addressed to the listener. With se, you’re talking about their specific possible lateness.

How do I pronounce figurati? Do I need an accent mark?

Stress the second syllable: fi-GÙ-ra-ti. No written accent is used in standard spelling (figurati). In Italian, accents are normally written only on final vowels.