Meaning
To be eagerly looking forward to something; to be impatient.
Cultural Background
Brazilians use this phrase constantly in social media captions, especially with photos of upcoming trips or events, often shortened to just '#naovejoahora'. While understood and used, the Portuguese may also use 'estar mortinho por' to express the same level of intense desire, which sounds slightly more dramatic. In countries like Angola and Mozambique, the phrase is common in music lyrics (Kizomba, Semba) to express romantic longing.
Use it for Nouns
You can use it with nouns too! Just remember to combine 'de' with the article: 'Não vejo a hora das férias' (de + as).
Don't forget the 'Não'
If you say 'Vejo a hora', it just means you are looking at the clock. The 'Não' is what makes it an idiom of impatience.
Meaning
To be eagerly looking forward to something; to be impatient.
Use it for Nouns
You can use it with nouns too! Just remember to combine 'de' with the article: 'Não vejo a hora das férias' (de + as).
Don't forget the 'Não'
If you say 'Vejo a hora', it just means you are looking at the clock. The 'Não' is what makes it an idiom of impatience.
Sound more Brazilian
Drop the 'Eu' at the beginning. Just start with 'Não vejo a hora...' to sound more natural.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence with the correct preposition and verb form.
Eu não vejo a hora ___ (viajar) para Lisboa.
The idiom 'não ver a hora' is always followed by the preposition 'de'.
Which sentence is correct for a group of people?
How do you say 'We can't wait'?
'Vemos' is the 'nós' (we) form of the verb 'ver'.
Match the feeling to the phrase.
If you are very excited for Friday, you say:
The negative 'não' is essential to the idiom.
Complete the dialogue.
A: O jantar está quase pronto. B: Que bom! ______ de comer!
The context of hunger and anticipation requires the idiom.
Match the Portuguese to the English.
Match the following:
These are the standard translations.
🎉 Score: /5
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
5 exercisesEu não vejo a hora ___ (viajar) para Lisboa.
The idiom 'não ver a hora' is always followed by the preposition 'de'.
How do you say 'We can't wait'?
'Vemos' is the 'nós' (we) form of the verb 'ver'.
If you are very excited for Friday, you say:
The negative 'não' is essential to the idiom.
A: O jantar está quase pronto. B: Que bom! ______ de comer!
The context of hunger and anticipation requires the idiom.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are the standard translations.
🎉 Score: /5
Frequently Asked Questions
7 questionsIt's better to use 'Estou ansioso por' or 'Aguardo' in very formal emails, but with close colleagues, it's fine.
If you stop there, it's 'Não vejo a hora'. If you add an action, you must use 'de'.
Mostly yes, but it can be used for negative things you want to end, like a long meeting.
No, the 'h' is always silent in Portuguese.
No, that is not a standard idiom. Stick to 'hora'.
Use 'Ele não vê a hora'. Note that 'vê' doesn't have the 'jo' ending.
Yes, it is widely understood and used in Portugal, though they have other local alternatives.
Related Phrases
Contar os minutos
similarTo count the minutes
Estar ansioso
synonymTo be anxious/eager
Dar o tempo
contrastTo give it time
Tô louco para
informalI'm crazy to...
