‘Não Vejo a Hora de…’: Say You Can’t Wait in Portuguese
The expression não vejo a hora de means you are excited for something to happen; it is not a literal comment about checking the time.
Real Life Portuguese · 4 min read · Updated October 14, 2026
The short answer
Não vejo a hora de… literally resembles ‘I can’t see the time of…,’ but its natural meaning is ‘I can’t wait to…’ or ‘I’m really looking forward to….’ Use it when you are excited about something that has not happened yet.
Use the phrase for eager anticipation
After de, you can use an infinitive when you will do the action: não vejo a hora de viajar (I can’t wait to travel). Before a noun, the phrase can express anticipation of that event: não vejo a hora da viagem (I can’t wait for the trip).
Não vejo a hora de conhecer Salvador.
I can’t wait to visit Salvador.
Não vejo a hora de ver você.
I can’t wait to see you.
Não vejo a hora das férias.
I can’t wait for vacation.
Match the phrase to a positive future event
The expression usually carries enthusiasm. It works for plans, a reunion, a performance, or a personal milestone. If the event is uncertain, first make that uncertainty clear rather than promising that it will happen.
For a more neutral update, say estou esperando a viagem (I’m waiting for the trip) or estou ansioso/ansiosa pela viagem (I’m looking forward to the trip). Remember that ansioso and ansiosa agree with the speaker’s gender in this expression.
A gente não vê a hora de começar o curso.
We can’t wait to start the course.
Ela não vê a hora do show.
She can’t wait for the show.
Estou ansiosa para conhecer sua família.
I’m looking forward to meeting your family.
Put it into practice
Use não vejo a hora de + infinitive or noun when you are excited for a future event: não vejo a hora de viajar; não vejo a hora da viagem.
Quick practice
Which Portuguese example matches “I can’t wait to see you”?
Choose an answer to check yourself.
Keep practicing with the Real Life Portuguese app
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