Use of "di" for English "for" instead of "per"

In the phrase, “time for dinner”, why do we say, “tempo di cenare”, and not “tempo per cenare”?

Hi Ar!

Great observation, both "di" and "per" can translate to "for" in English, but they’re used in different ways in Italian depending on the context.

🧠 “Tempo di cenare” → idiomatic and general

"Tempo di + infinitive" is an idiomatic structure that means "time to do something".

Think of it like: “the time of dining” — more abstract, like a natural moment or general opportunity.

📌 Examples:

È tempo di cambiare. → It’s time to change.

Non ho tempo di parlare. → I don’t have time to talk.

🛠 “Tempo per cenare” → purposeful or availability

"Tempo per + infinitive" focuses more on having time available to do something, or the purpose of that time.

📌 Examples:

Hai tempo per cenare con noi? → Do you have time to have dinner with us?

Cerco un momento per studiare. → I’m looking for a moment to study.

✅ So what’s the difference?

"Tempo di cenare" = It's dinner time / The moment to eat has arrived (idiomatic)

"Tempo per cenare" = There is time available to eat / Someone has time to eat

Both are grammatically correct — it depends on what nuance you're going for!

Let me know if you'd like more examples 😊
– Enxhi, Rocket Italian Tutor