Meaning

"I can't wait" means you're very excited about something that's coming. It doesn't mean you're impatient in a bad way; it means the waiting feels long because the thing is good: a vacation, a concert, seeing a friend again. Add "to" and a verb, or "for" and a noun: "I can't wait to see you", "I can't wait for summer."

It is warm, everyday and safe with anyone. It also turns sarcastic all the time. Said flat, about something unpleasant, it means the opposite: "Tax forms this weekend. I can't wait." Listen to the tone and the topic: nobody is truly thrilled about the dentist. The sincere version usually rises and speeds up; the sarcastic one drops and slows down.

In a conversation

VikramLi Na
  1. Vikram
  2. Li Na
  3. Vikram
  4. Li Na
  5. Vikram
  6. Li Na

Say it out loud

Tap a sentence to hear it. Say it after the voice.

Check yourself

1Li Na says "I can't wait for that" about the dentist. What does she mean?
2Which sentence is most likely sincere?

Practice · 3 min

Listen, then say each line. Say the first two bright and quick, with the voice rising. Say the last one slow and flat.

Say it today

Use it once in a real conversation before tomorrow. Out loud counts, even to yourself.