In 15 Seconds
- Used for activities with zero value or return.
- Very common in daily conversation and social media.
- Always uses the verb 'perder' (to lose), not 'gastar'.
- Expresses frustration, annoyance, or a warning about inefficiency.
Meaning
This phrase describes the frustration of throwing away precious minutes on things that offer zero value. It captures that specific 'ugh' feeling when you realize you've been doing something pointless. It's about the loss of opportunity, not just the passage of clock time.
Key Examples
3 of 10Frustrated with a slow app
Esse aplicativo é muito lento, não vou perder tempo com ele.
This app is so slow, I'm not going to waste time with it.
Giving advice to a friend
Não perca tempo com quem não te valoriza.
Don't waste time with someone who doesn't value you.
Professional meeting
Estamos perdendo tempo discutindo coisas que não importam.
We are wasting time discussing things that don't matter.
Cultural Background
Portuguese culture, especially in Brazil, often has a fluid relationship with time (sometimes called 'Brazilian Time'). However, because social connection is so valued, anything that feels like a 'cold' or 'robotic' waste of time—like bureaucracy or bad technology—is particularly hated. This phrase reflects a modern shift towards valuing productivity while still acknowledging the universal human struggle against procrastination. It's the linguistic bridge between traditional social ease and modern digital rush.
Use with the Gerund
For a super natural sound, always follow it with the '-ando' or '-endo' form of the verb. Example: 'Perdi tempo esperando'.
The 'O' Trap
NEVER say 'perder o tempo' unless you are a musician talking about rhythm. It's a dead giveaway that you're translating from English.
In 15 Seconds
- Used for activities with zero value or return.
- Very common in daily conversation and social media.
- Always uses the verb 'perder' (to lose), not 'gastar'.
- Expresses frustration, annoyance, or a warning about inefficiency.
What It Means
Ever felt that deep, burning regret after scrolling through Reels for three hours straight?
What It Means
In Portuguese, you don't 'waste' time; you perder tempo. The verb perder literally means to lose. It's like your minutes are keys that fell down a storm drain. You aren't just spending them poorly; they are gone forever. This phrase carries a heavy weight of frustration. It’s perfect for when someone is talking nonsense. Use it when an app keeps crashing. It’s the ultimate expression for inefficiency. Think of it as the opposite of being productive. It’s not about relaxing. Relaxing is good! This is about the stuff that makes you feel empty. Like waiting for a 'fast' food order that takes forty minutes. Or arguing with a stranger in the comments section.
How To Use It
You have two main ways to build this. First, use perder tempo + com + a thing. For example: Não perca tempo com isso. This means 'Don't waste time with that'. Second, use perder tempo + a verb ending in -ando, -endo, or -indo. This is the gerund form. Example: Ele perdeu tempo assistindo aquele filme. He wasted time watching that movie. It’s very flexible. You can use it in the past, present, or future. If you want to be extra emphatic, add meu (my) or seu (your). Não perca o MEU tempo! sounds quite aggressive. It’s like saying 'My time is expensive, don't mess with it'. Use it sparingly at work! It’s a very common collocation. Portuguese speakers use it daily. It’s much more natural than saying gastar tempo in negative contexts.
Real-Life Examples
Imagine you are at a party. A guy is trying to sell you crypto. You turn to your friend and whisper: Não vou perder tempo ouvindo esse cara. Or think about a bad Netflix series. You get to episode four and realize it’s trash. You say: Parei de ver porque não queria perder mais tempo. It’s also huge on social media. Influencers post about '5 habits that make you perder tempo'. You’ll see it in TikTok captions about life hacks. 'Stop perder tempo peeling garlic like this!' Even in dating, it’s a big deal. 'I don't want to perder tempo with people who don't know what they want'. It’s the language of the modern, busy world. We are all obsessed with time. This phrase is our collective cry of annoyance.
When To Use It
Use it when you feel stuck. Use it when someone is being slow. If your Uber driver is taking the long way, you’re perdendo tempo. If your internet is 1990s slow, you’re perdendo tempo. It’s great for giving advice. 'Don't perder tempo worrying about things you can't control'. It’s very common in professional settings too. During a meeting that should have been an email? Estamos perdendo tempo. It shows you value efficiency. It also works for self-reflection. 'I really perdi tempo today on YouTube'. It’s not always a complaint to others. Sometimes it’s just a realization. It fits perfectly in a WhatsApp vent to a best friend.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it when someone is actually enjoying themselves. If a friend is relaxing on the beach, don't say they are perdendo tempo. That’s just being a buzzkill. In Portuguese, we have descansar for that. Also, avoid it in very sensitive situations. If a friend is grieving or taking time to make a big life choice, it’s not perder tempo. It’s 'taking their time' (levar o seu tempo). Using perder implies the time was worthless. Don't tell your boss he’s perdendo tempo unless you want a new job. It can be quite confrontational. Use gastar or dedicar for more positive or neutral time usage. Context is everything here.
Common Mistakes
Learners often try to translate 'waste' literally. They search for a word like desperdiçar. While desperdiçar tempo is grammatically correct, it sounds very formal. No one says that at a café. The most common error is using gastar.
Another mistake is adding 'the'.
Adding o (the) usually changes the meaning. In music, perder o tempo means to lose the beat. If you say it to a friend, they’ll look at you funny. Keep it simple. Just the verb and the noun. It’s a tight, efficient pair.
Similar Expressions
If you want to sound really native, try jogar tempo fora. This literally means 'to throw time away'. It’s a bit more dramatic. It’s like you took your hours and put them in the trash. Another one is ficar de bobeira. This is more about 'chilling' or 'doing nothing', but can be used negatively. If you’re procrastinating, you might be enrolando. Enrolar is a great verb for someone who is taking forever to get to the point. 'Don't enrole, I'm perdendo tempo!' If you’re really angry about the waste, say é um desperdício de tempo. That’s the heavy hitter. It means 'it’s a total waste of time'.
Common Variations
You can say não perca tempo as a command. This is common in ads. 'Don't waste time, buy now!' You can also use perda de tempo as a noun. Isso é uma grande perda de tempo. This means 'This is a huge waste of time'. Note that perda (the noun) has an 'a' at the end. Don't confuse it with perca (the verb form). Another variation is perder tempo à toa. This means to waste time for no reason at all. The à toa adds an extra layer of pointlessness. It’s like saying 'wasting time for nothing'.
Memory Trick
Think of your time as a physical object, like a gold coin. If you 'lose' (perder) it, it’s gone. You can’t buy it back. Imagine a 'Time Thief' lurking in your phone. Every time you open a mindless app, the thief steals a coin. You aren't just 'spending' the coins; you are losing them from your pocket. Visualize the word PERDER as 'Permanent Erasure'. Once the time is perdido, it is permanently erased from your life. Don't let the thief win!
Quick FAQ
Is it rude? It can be. If you say it to someone's face, it’s a bit sharp. Use it carefully. Can I use it for money? No, for money we use perder dinheiro or jogar dinheiro fora. Is there a positive version? Not really. To spend time well, use passar tempo or aproveitar o tempo. Is it okay for B2 level? Yes, it’s essential! It shows you understand how Portuguese speakers actually think about time. It’s a classic collocation that makes you sound much less like a textbook.
Usage Notes
Use 'perder tempo' for any situation where you feel the minutes spent gave you nothing in return. Avoid adding the article 'o' before 'tempo' as it sounds like you are talking about musical rhythm. In professional settings, use it to advocate for efficiency rather than to criticize people directly.
Use with the Gerund
For a super natural sound, always follow it with the '-ando' or '-endo' form of the verb. Example: 'Perdi tempo esperando'.
The 'O' Trap
NEVER say 'perder o tempo' unless you are a musician talking about rhythm. It's a dead giveaway that you're translating from English.
Directness in Brazil
Brazilians are generally polite, but 'perder tempo' is one of the few phrases they use very directly to express genuine annoyance.
Shortened Form
In very casual speech, you might just say 'Perda de tempo!' as a reaction to something boring or useless.
Examples
10Esse aplicativo é muito lento, não vou perder tempo com ele.
This app is so slow, I'm not going to waste time with it.
A very common modern complaint about technology.
Não perca tempo com quem não te valoriza.
Don't waste time with someone who doesn't value you.
Deeply relatable advice for dating or friendships.
Estamos perdendo tempo discutindo coisas que não importam.
We are wasting time discussing things that don't matter.
Professional but direct way to get a meeting back on track.
A vida é curta demais para perder tempo em filas.
Life is too short to waste time in lines.
Classic 'lifestyle' sentiment for social media.
Desculpe, mas não posso perder tempo, tenho um compromisso.
Sorry, but I can't waste time, I have an appointment.
A polite but firm way to end a pointless conversation.
✗ Eu não gosto de gastar tempo com isso. → ✓ Eu não gosto de perder tempo com isso.
I don't like to waste time with this.
'Gastar' is for spending (neutral); 'perder' is for wasting (negative).
✗ Não quero perder o tempo. → ✓ Não quero perder tempo.
I don't want to waste time.
Adding 'o' makes it sound like you're losing the rhythm in music.
Para de perder tempo escolhendo o filtro e posta logo!
Stop wasting time choosing the filter and just post it!
A lighthearted joke about social media habits.
Perdi tempo assistindo esse filme, o final foi horrível.
I wasted time watching this movie, the ending was horrible.
Using the past tense to express regret.
Tô perdendo tempo aqui parada no trânsito, que raiva!
I'm wasting time here stuck in traffic, so annoying!
A typical daily frustration message.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank
In Portuguese, the standard collocation for wasting time is 'perder tempo'.
Find and fix the error
While 'gastar' means to spend, 'perder' is the correct verb to use when the time was wasted on something useless.
Choose the correct option
Which sentence sounds most natural to a native speaker when complaining about a meeting?
The expression is 'perder tempo' without the definite article 'o'. Adding 'o' changes the meaning or sounds unnatural.
🎉 Score: /3
Visual Learning Aids
Formality of 'Perder Tempo'
Friends/Family/Social Media
Tô perdendo tempo aqui, cara!
Work/Daily interactions
Não queremos perder tempo na reunião.
Academic/Legal (Rarely used)
É uma lástima a perda de tempo ocorrida.
Where to use 'Perder Tempo'
Digital scrolling
Perdi tempo no TikTok.
Bad relationships
Não perca tempo com ele.
Traffic jams
Perdendo tempo no trânsito.
Long lines
Uma perda de tempo essa fila.
Pointless talk
Pare de perder tempo falando.
Time Phrases Comparison
Usage Scenarios
Workplace
- • Long meetings
- • Slow emails
- • Unclear tasks
Personal Life
- • Procrastination
- • Binge watching
- • Indecision
Practice Bank
3 exercisesEu não quero ___ tempo com esse jogo chato.
In Portuguese, the standard collocation for wasting time is 'perder tempo'.
Find and fix the mistake:
Ele gastou tempo demais assistindo vídeos inúteis.
While 'gastar' means to spend, 'perder' is the correct verb to use when the time was wasted on something useless.
Which sentence sounds most natural to a native speaker when complaining about a meeting?
The expression is 'perder tempo' without the definite article 'o'. Adding 'o' changes the meaning or sounds unnatural.
🎉 Score: /3
Video Tutorials
Find video tutorials on YouTube for this phrase.
Frequently Asked Questions
20 questionsNo, it is not slang at all. It is a standard idiomatic collocation used by everyone from children to CEOs, though the context determines how polite or rude it might come across in a specific conversation.
You can, and it is grammatically correct, but it sounds very 'literary' or formal. In 99% of spoken Portuguese situations, 'perder tempo' is the much more natural and common choice for native speakers.
'Gastar tempo' is neutral and simply means to spend time on an activity. 'Perder tempo' is always negative and implies that the time spent was a mistake or offered no real value to the person.
There isn't a truly polite way to say this, as the sentiment itself is quite firm. However, saying 'Não gostaria de tomar seu tempo' (I wouldn't like to take your time) is a much softer way to handle time-related boundaries.
The phrase 'perder tempo' is used identically in both Portugal and Brazil. The only difference is in the pronunciation of the words, but the meaning and the way it is constructed remain exactly the same.
Almost never. It carries an inherent sense of loss and frustration. If you want to talk about spending time in a positive way, you should use 'passar o tempo' or 'curtir o tempo' instead.
Be very careful! If you say 'Estamos perdendo tempo', you are essentially telling your boss the current activity is useless. It is better to use it when referring to an external factor, like a slow process or a technical issue.
You simply conjugate the verb 'perder' in the pretérito perfeito. For example: 'Eu perdi tempo'. This is very common when reflecting on a bad experience, like a terrible movie or a failed date.
Yes, it is often used to describe procrastination. If you say 'Parei de perder tempo e comecei a estudar', you are saying you stopped procrastinating and finally got to work on your studies.
No, for money you should use 'perder dinheiro' or 'jogar dinheiro fora'. While time is often equated with money, the linguistic collocations for wasting them are kept separate in Portuguese conversation.
Adding 'à toa' emphasizes that the waste of time was completely pointless and had no reason or benefit whatsoever. It’s like saying 'wasting time for absolutely nothing' and adds a layer of extra frustration.
Yes, 'Isso é uma perda de tempo' (This is a waste of time) is extremely common. Just remember that 'perda' is the noun (a loss), while 'perca' is a verb form used in commands or doubts.
Not really. 'Killing time' usually means waiting for something to happen while doing something else. For that, Portuguese uses 'matar o tempo' or 'passar o tempo'. 'Perder tempo' is much more negative.
Adding the article 'o' changes the focus to a specific, defined block of time or a musical rhythm. To express the general concept of wasting time, you must leave the article out for it to sound natural.
Absolutely. Many songs about heartbreak or moving on use 'perder tempo' to describe a relationship that wasn't working. It's a very relatable theme in both pop and sertanejo music lyrics.
You would typically say 'perder tempo nas redes sociais' or 'perder tempo no Instagram'. It is a very common topic of conversation among young people who feel they use their phones too much.
The best opposites are 'aproveitar o tempo' (to make the most of time) or 'ganhar tempo' (to save or gain time through an efficient shortcut or better method of doing things).
No, it is almost always used in relation to people's actions or choices. You wouldn't say a computer is 'perdendo tempo', but you might say you are 'perdendo tempo' because the computer is slow.
It is used, but usually in a slightly more polite way, such as 'Para não perdermos tempo, vamos direto ao assunto' (To avoid wasting time, let's get straight to the point). This sounds proactive rather than complaining.
In advertising, it means 'Don't wait!' or 'Act now!'. It’s used to create a sense of urgency for the consumer to buy a product or take advantage of a limited-time offer before it expires.
Related Phrases
jogar tempo fora
informal versionto throw time away
This is a more dramatic and casual way to express the same feeling of absolute waste.
aproveitar o tempo
antonymto make the most of time
This is the positive opposite, used when time is used effectively and enjoyably.
perda de tempo
related topica waste of time
This is the noun form used to label an activity or situation as worthless.
gastar tempo
synonymto spend time
This is a more neutral version that doesn't necessarily imply the time was wasted, though context matters.
enrolar
related topicto procrastinate / to stall
This verb describes the action that usually leads to one perdendo tempo.
matar o tempo
related topicto kill time
This is used for waiting around, which is slightly different from the negative 'wasting'.
