Bedeutung
To be excited for an upcoming event.
Kultureller Hintergrund
Italians are generally very expressive with their emotions. Using 'non vedere l'ora' is a way to show you are 'caldo' (warm) and socially engaged. In the South, anticipation for food and family gatherings is a central part of life. The phrase is used with even more frequency and physical gestures. Young Italians often shorten the phrase in texts to 'NVL'ora' or just use emojis to represent it. The phrase is a staple in Italian neorealist and romantic cinema to express the longing of characters.
The Subjunctive Shortcut
If you find the subjunctive too hard, try to rephrase the sentence so you are the subject. Instead of 'Non vedo l'ora che tu arrivi,' say 'Non vedo l'ora di vederti!'
Avoid 'Aspettare'
Never say 'Non posso aspettare.' It's the #1 sign of an English speaker. Stick to 'Non vedo l'ora.'
Bedeutung
To be excited for an upcoming event.
The Subjunctive Shortcut
If you find the subjunctive too hard, try to rephrase the sentence so you are the subject. Instead of 'Non vedo l'ora che tu arrivi,' say 'Non vedo l'ora di vederti!'
Avoid 'Aspettare'
Never say 'Non posso aspettare.' It's the #1 sign of an English speaker. Stick to 'Non vedo l'ora.'
Use Gestures
When saying this, you can slightly lean forward or widen your eyes to show the 'vision' aspect of the phrase.
Teste dich selbst
Conjugate the verb 'vedere' correctly.
Noi non _______ l'ora di andare al concerto.
The subject is 'Noi' (we), so the verb 'vedere' must be 'vediamo'.
Choose the correct preposition or conjunction.
Non vedo l'ora _______ tu finisca i compiti.
Since the subject of the second verb (tu) is different from the first (io), we use 'che' followed by the subjunctive.
Complete the dialogue with the most natural response.
A: 'Domani partiamo per la Sicilia!' B: 'Che bello! _______'
'Non vedo l'ora!' is the standard idiomatic response to show excitement.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Which phrase fits a romantic context?
'Rivederti' (to see you again) is the romantic choice here.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Common Uses
Travel
- • Vacanze
- • Partenza
- • Volo
Social
- • Festa
- • Cena
- • Incontro
Life
- • Nuovo lavoro
- • Compleanno
- • Weekend
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenNoi non _______ l'ora di andare al concerto.
The subject is 'Noi' (we), so the verb 'vedere' must be 'vediamo'.
Non vedo l'ora _______ tu finisca i compiti.
Since the subject of the second verb (tu) is different from the first (io), we use 'che' followed by the subjunctive.
A: 'Domani partiamo per la Sicilia!' B: 'Che bello! _______'
'Non vedo l'ora!' is the standard idiomatic response to show excitement.
Which phrase fits a romantic context?
'Rivederti' (to see you again) is the romantic choice here.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
14 FragenYes! Use the imperfetto: 'Non vedevo l'ora di vederti.' This means 'I couldn't wait to see you.'
Yes, if you have a friendly relationship. It shows enthusiasm for your work.
Usually, we don't use it for bad things unless we are being sarcastic.
It's possible and sometimes used for even more urgency, but 'l'ora' is 100 times more common.
Yes, 'l'ora' is a fixed part of the idiom. You cannot say 'non vedo ora.'
It is always 'di'. 'Non vedo l'ora di...'
Yes, but you need a verb: 'Non vedo l'ora di vedere Marco.'
It's neutral. It's safe in almost 90% of situations.
Non vedo l'ora che arrivi il weekend.
Translating literally from English: 'Non posso aspettare.'
No, the phrase remains the same regardless of the gender of the speaker.
Yes: 'Non vedi l'ora di partire?' (Can't you wait to leave?)
Yes, 'Non stare nella pelle' is a more colorful, informal version.
It's an old metaphor about the clock face. 'Ora' was the standard unit of waiting.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Non stare nella pelle
similarTo be jumping out of one's skin with excitement
Aver voglia di
similarTo feel like / to want to
Essere impaziente di
synonymTo be impatient to
Aspettare con ansia
similarTo wait with anxiety/eagerness
Contare i giorni
builds onTo count the days
