Italian Phrase
Avvisaci subito se fai tardi.
Meaning
‘Avvisaci subito se fai tardi.’ means ‘Let us know right away if you’re going to be late.’ It is a polite but informal request for a prompt heads‑up, often used when people are coordinating a meeting, a ride, or an event.
When to use
Use this sentence when you’re waiting for someone and need to be informed quickly if they will not arrive on time – for example, before a dinner reservation, a work shift, or a group outing.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Avvisacisubitosefaitardi
Imperative + enclitic pronoun
‘Avvisaci’ is the 2nd‑person singular imperative of ‘avvisare’ with the enclitic pronoun ‘ci’ (us) attached directly to the verb.
Adverb ‘subito’
‘Subito’ means ‘right away’ or ‘immediately’ and modifies the whole request.
Conditional clause with ‘se’
‘Se’ introduces a condition: ‘if you are/are going to be …’.
Present indicative of ‘fare’
‘Fai’ is the present indicative 2nd‑person singular of ‘fare’, used here as a light‑verb meaning ‘to be (in a state)’.
Adverb ‘tardi’
‘Tardi’ functions as an adverb meaning ‘late’; it can also appear as the adjective ‘tardi’ (plural) but here it is adverbial.
🗨In Conversation
Potrei arrivare un po’ tardi, il traffico è pessimo.
I might arrive a bit late, the traffic is terrible.
Avvisaci subito se fai tardi.
Let us know right away if you’re going to be late.
✕Common Mistakes
Avvisateci subito se fai tardi.
‘Avvisateci’ is the plural imperative (to several people). Use ‘Avvisaci’ when speaking to one person.
Avvisaci subito se sei tardi.
‘Sei tardi’ mixes the verb ‘essere’ with the adverb ‘tardi’; the correct form is ‘sei in ritardo’ or use the verb ‘fare’ as in ‘fai tardi’.
Subito avvisaci se fai tardi.
While grammatically possible, the natural order places the adverb after the verb: ‘Avvisaci subito…’
↔Alternatives
Facci sapere subito se arriverai in ritardo.
Let us know right away if you’ll arrive late.
Avvisaci al più presto se sarai in ritardo.
Notify us as soon as possible if you’ll be late.
Diccelo subito se ti ritarderai.
Tell us right away if you’ll be delayed.
Cultural Tip
In Italian the enclitic pronoun ‘ci’ attached to the imperative (avvisaci, chiamaci, scrivici) is very common in everyday speech and sounds friendly yet respectful. Avoid the more formal ‘ci avvisi’ unless you’re speaking to someone you don’t know well. Also, Italians often prefer ‘in ritardo’ over ‘tardi’ when the noun is explicit, but the adverbial ‘tardi’ works perfectly in short, spoken requests like this one.