Ritardato

Ritardato is an Italian term that can function as an adjective or a noun, derived from ritardare, meaning to delay or slow. In general usage it describes something that is delayed, late, or slower than usual, such as a schedule, a process, or a response. The sense can be neutral or relative, indicating postponement, lag, or reduced pace depending on context.

Historically, ritardato has been used in reference to people with intellectual disabilities, for example in phrases like ritardo mentale. In contemporary Italian, this usage is considered outdated and potentially offensive. Modern professional and public language tends to use more respectful and precise terms such as disabilità intellettiva or ritardo dello sviluppo when describing medical or educational conditions, and typically avoids the adjective or noun form referring to people. The term remains acceptable in neutral descriptions of delays or slowness unrelated to individuals, for instance in references to schedules or logistics.

In other domains, ritardato is generally supplanted by more specific terms. In music, the standard term for slowing the tempo is ritardando; ritardato is not used as a formal musical instruction. In everyday language, ritardato can appear to mean simply "delayed" or "late" with no special technical meaning, as in a delayed train or late response.

See also common Italian terms for delay, such as ritardo, and discussions of inclusive language in disability contexts.