Learn Italian: Il treno ha cinque minuti di ritardo.

In English, we say a train is late using the verb to be, but Italians often say it has a delay. They use the verb avere (to have) and the noun ritardo (delay). Literally, this sentence translates to: The train has five minutes of delay.

Could I use the verb essere (to be) to say the train is late instead?

Yes! You can say il treno è in ritardo (the train is late). However, when you want to state the exact amount of time it is late by (like cinque minuti), the structure avere + time + di ritardo is the standard way to say it in Italian.

Why do we need the word di before ritardo?

Because ritardo is a noun meaning delay. To link the specific amount of time to that noun, you use di (of). The phrase cinque minuti di ritardo literally means five minutes of delay.

Can I use this same phrase if I am personally running late to meet someone?

Absolutely! You just change the verb to match yourself. You can say ho cinque minuti di ritardo (I am five minutes late). It is a very common phrase to use when texting or calling someone to let them know you are held up.