Frustrato dal Ritardo: What It Means and How to Use It Naturally

Learning Italian also means understanding how to express common feelings. Have you ever waited for a train, a bus, or a friend and felt your irritation grow? In these situations, a very useful expression to describe your mood is "frustrato dal ritardo." This comprehensive guide will help you understand the meaning of this adjectival phrase, master its grammar, and use it correctly in your conversations so you can speak like a native. You will discover how to avoid common mistakes and enrich your Italian vocabulary.

Table of Contents

• What does "frustrato dal ritardo" mean?
• The Grammar Behind the Phrase: Rules and Common Mistakes
• Real Examples with "frustrato dal ritardo"
• Related Words and Expressions
• Conclusion

What does "frustrato dal ritardo" mean?

• Frustrato dal ritardo: To feel a sense of disappointment, irritation, or impatience due to a prolonged wait or something not happening when expected.
• Frustrato: Adjective describing someone who feels frustration, a feeling of dissatisfaction arising from obstacles or disappointment. It comes from the Latin "frustra," meaning "in vain."
• Dal: Articulated preposition, combination of "da" (which signals cause or origin) and the definite article "il."
• Ritardo: Masculine noun that indicates an arrival, action, or event that happens after the expected or scheduled time.

More: Rilassato nel Parco Complete Guide to Using This Italian Expression

The Grammar Behind the Phrase: Rules and Common Mistakes

• Adjective agreement: The adjective "frustrato" agrees in gender and number with the subject it refers to.
  • Masculine singular: frustrato (Ex: "Luca è frustrato dal ritardo del treno.")
  • Feminine singular: frustrata (Ex: "Anna è frustrata dal ritardo dell'aereo.")
  • Masculine plural: frustrati (Ex: "I passeggeri sono frustrati dal ritardo della riunione.")
  • Feminine plural: frustrate (Ex: "Le studentesse erano frustrate dal ritardo della consegna.")
• Use of the preposition "dal": The preposition "da" introduces the agent or direct cause of an action or feeling. It is joined with the definite article "il" (for "ritardo") to form "dal."
  • This use of "da" is fundamental for indicating "by what" you feel a certain way. As shown by trusted sources for Italian learning, the adjective "frustrato" is typically connected with this preposition to express the cause of the feeling. WordReference gives usage examples.
  • Correct: "Sono frustrato dal ritardo."
  • Incorrect (but sometimes understandable, not idiomatic): "Sono frustrato per il ritardo." (Less common for describing the direct cause of frustration.)
  • Incorrect: "Sono frustrato del ritardo." (Grammatically incorrect in this causal context.)
• Common mistakes:
  • Confusing "frustrato" with "annoiato": "Frustrato" implies irritation or disappointment resulting from an obstacle or hindrance. "Annoiato" indicates a lack of interest or stimuli.
  • Omitting the preposition: "Sono frustrato il ritardo." (Wrong, the preposition is required to indicate the cause.)
  • Improperly using other prepositions, like "di" or "con," when "da" (in the forms "dal," "dalla," "dai," "dalle") is the idiomatic choice for the cause. Example: "Frustrato dalla burocrazia," "frustrato dai problemi tecnici."

More: Nervoso per il discorso: Meaning, Grammar, and Practical Use Made Simple

Real Examples with "frustrato dal ritardo"

• Dialogue 1: A missed appointment
  • Persona A: "Mario, sei arrivato in ritardo all'incontro. È successo qualcosa?"
  • Persona B: "Sì, purtroppo. Il traffico era terribile e sono rimasto frustrato dal ritardo perché so che avevamo poco tempo."
• Dialogue 2: An office project
  • Persona A: "Il capo sembrava un po' seccato stamattina."
  • Persona B: "Era frustrato dal ritardo nella consegna del rapporto. Non tollera che le scadenze non vengano rispettate."
• Dialogue 3: Public transport
  • Persona A: "Guarda, il treno è di nuovo in ritardo!"
  • Persona B: "Lo so, è estenuante. Tutti i pendolari sono frustrati dal ritardo cronico dei mezzi pubblici."
• Dialogue 4: An online delivery
  • Persona A: "Il tuo pacco è arrivato?"
  • Persona B: "No, ancora niente. Sono davvero frustrata dal ritardo di questa spedizione, doveva arrivare giorni fa!"
• Dialogue 5: Organizing an event
  • Persona A: "Come sta andando l'organizzazione della festa?"
  • Persona B: "Tutto bene, ma il fornitore non ha ancora consegnato le bevande. Sono un po' frustrata dal ritardo delle forniture."

More: Confuso dalle parole Complete Guide Meaning Grammar Examples Explained

Related Words and Expressions

Conclusion

We have explored "frustrato dal ritardo," understanding its meaning and the essential grammar rules. Using this expression will help you accurately describe your reactions to delays and setbacks.

Now it’s your turn! Try to create a sentence using "frustrato dal ritardo" or one of the related expressions. Share it in the comments below!