Italian Phrase
Lascia un po' di tempo in più in caso di ritardi.
Meaning
The sentence advises someone to allow a little extra time as a precaution against possible delays. It’s a practical tip often given when planning travel, appointments, or any activity that depends on punctuality.
When to use
Use this phrase when you’re helping a friend schedule a trip, reminding a colleague about a meeting, or giving general advice about time management. It’s especially common in travel contexts (trains, flights, road trips) and when coordinating events that could be affected by traffic or other unpredictable factors.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Lasciaunpo'ditempoinpiùincasodiritardi
Imperative (tu) of lasciare
‘Lascia’ is the informal second‑person singular imperative of the verb *lasciare* (to leave, to let).
‘un po'’ (a little)
The expression *un po'* is a contraction of *un po’ di*; the apostrophe replaces the omitted *di*.
‘in più’ (extra)
‘in più’ literally means ‘in addition’; it follows the quantity to indicate an extra amount.
Prepositional phrase ‘in caso di’
Used to introduce a condition, equivalent to ‘in case of’ in English.
Plural noun ‘ritardi’
‘Ritardi’ is the plural of *ritardo* (delay). The phrase refers to possible multiple delays.
🗨In Conversation
Devo prendere il treno delle 9, ma il traffico è sempre imprevedibile.
I have to catch the 9 o’clock train, but traffic is always unpredictable.
Allora lascia un po' di tempo in più in caso di ritardi.
Then leave a little extra time in case of delays.
✕Common Mistakes
Lasciare un po' di tempo in più in caso di ritardi.
‘Lasciare’ is the infinitive; the correct form for a direct command is the imperative ‘Lascia’.
Lascia un po di tempo in più in caso di ritardi.
The apostrophe is required after *po* to indicate the omitted *di*.
Lascia un po' di tempo più in caso di ritardi.
Learners sometimes write *più* without the preceding *in*, which changes the meaning.
↔Alternatives
Prevedi un po' di margine per eventuali ritardi.
Allow a bit of margin for possible delays.
Considera più tempo se pensi che ci possano essere ritardi.
Consider more time if you think there might be delays.
Metti da parte qualche minuto in più per gli imprevisti.
Set aside a few extra minutes for unforeseen events.
Cultural Tip
In Italy punctuality is appreciated, but Italians also understand that traffic, public‑transport strikes, and the occasional café stop can cause delays. Saying *lascia un po' di tempo in più* shows you’re both considerate and realistic. In the south, people may be more relaxed about exact timing, while in the north the phrase is often taken very seriously.