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Italian Phrase

Grazie per aver aspettato.

/ˈɡrat.t͡sje per aˈver asˈpɛtːa.to/
Meaning"Thank you for waiting."
💡

Meaning

Literally, “Thank you for having waited.” It is the polite way to acknowledge that someone has spent time waiting for you, whether in a shop, a meeting, or a social setting.

🎯

When to use

Use this phrase right after the person you’re speaking to has waited for you – for example, when you finally arrive late, after a phone call that was put on hold, or when a service has taken longer than expected.

✦Grammar Breakdown

Grazieperaveraspettato

1

Grazie

A simple thank‑you. It can stand alone or be followed by a clause explaining what you’re grateful for.

2

per + infinitive

After the preposition per, Italian uses the infinitive to express purpose or cause (e.g., per aiutare, per capire).

3

infinitive perfect (aver + past participle)

When you want to refer to a completed action in the past, combine the infinitive of avere (or essere) with the past participle, e.g., aver aspettato = ‘to have waited’.

4

aspettare → aspettato

The verb aspettare (to wait) forms its past participle by adding -ato. It agrees with the auxiliary avere, so the participle never changes with gender or number.

🗨In Conversation

A

Grazie per aver aspettato.

Thank you for waiting.

Prego, non c’è problema.

You’re welcome, it’s no problem.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Grazie per aspettare.

    After per you need an infinitive, but to refer to a completed action you must use the infinitive perfect (aver + past participle).

  • Grazie per aver aspettare.

    The auxiliary ‘aver’ must be followed by a past participle, not another infinitive.

  • Grazie per aspettato.

    The past participle cannot stand alone after per; it needs the auxiliary ‘aver’.

↔Alternatives

  • Grazie per l’attesa.

    Thank you for the wait.

  • Ti ringrazio per aver aspettato.

    I thank you for having waited.

  • Grazie di aver atteso.

    Thanks for having waited.

it

Cultural Tip

In Italy, punctuality can be flexible, especially in social gatherings. Still, showing appreciation for someone’s patience is considered very courteous. When you’re late, a sincere “Grazie per aver aspettato” followed by a brief apology (Mi dispiace per il ritardo) helps smooth over any inconvenience.