Não esperava!
직역: (I) did not expect
Use this phrase to react naturally to any surprise, from a surprise party to unexpected news.
15초 만에
- Use it to express genuine surprise or shock.
- Works for both positive and negative unexpected events.
- Short for 'I didn't expect that' in almost any context.
뜻
This is a versatile way to say 'I didn't expect that!' or 'What a surprise!' It expresses genuine shock or mild amazement at a situation, gift, or piece of news.
주요 예문
3 / 6Receiving an unexpected gift
Um presente para mim? Não esperava!
A gift for me? I didn't expect it!
Hearing a surprising secret
Eles vão casar? Não esperava!
They are getting married? I didn't expect that!
In a professional meeting
Esses resultados são ótimos, eu não esperava!
These results are great, I wasn't expecting them!
문화적 배경
In Lusophone cultures, expressing surprise is a way to validate the effort someone made for you. Using this phrase when receiving a gift is considered more polite than just saying 'thank you' because it highlights the thoughtfulness of the gesture. It is a staple of 'papo furado' (small talk) across all Portuguese-speaking countries.
Add 'Nossa' for flavor
In Brazil, starting with 'Nossa!' (Wow!) makes the surprise sound much more authentic and enthusiastic.
Watch your tone
If said with a flat voice, it can sound like you are disappointed rather than surprised. Keep it lively!
15초 만에
- Use it to express genuine surprise or shock.
- Works for both positive and negative unexpected events.
- Short for 'I didn't expect that' in almost any context.
What It Means
Não esperava! is your go-to phrase for life's little curveballs. It means you are genuinely surprised. It comes from the verb esperar. This verb means both 'to wait' and 'to hope'. In this context, it means you weren't anticipating the outcome. It is short, punchy, and very common.
How To Use It
You use it immediately after a surprise occurs. Did a friend show up unannounced? Não esperava! Did you get a promotion? Não esperava! You can use it alone as an exclamation. You can also add por essa at the end. Não esperava por essa! means 'I didn't expect that specific thing.' It works for both good and bad surprises.
When To Use It
Use it when someone gives you a gift. It shows you are touched and surprised. Use it when hearing shocking gossip over coffee. It works perfectly in work meetings for unexpected data. It is great for texting when a friend sends a wild photo. It is a very safe, all-purpose reaction.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it for things that were obviously going to happen. If you leave your ice cream in the sun, don't say it. People might think you are being sarcastic. Avoid it in very tragic or solemn situations. In those cases, it might sound too casual or dismissive. Stick to 'I am sorry' instead of 'I didn't expect this.'
Cultural Background
Brazilians and Portuguese people value spontaneity and emotional expression. Reacting to surprises is a social bonding tool. Saying Não esperava! shows you are engaged in the moment. It is often accompanied by wide eyes or a smile. In Brazil, you might hear it followed by a long 'Nossa!' for extra emphasis. It reflects a culture that enjoys the unpredictable nature of life.
Common Variations
Eu não esperava por essa!(I didn't expect this one!)Essa eu não esperava!(That one, I didn't expect!)Nossa, não esperava!(Wow, I didn't expect it!)Sério? Não esperava!(Really? I didn't expect it!)
사용 참고사항
The phrase is very flexible. While it's grammatically simple, your intonation does 90% of the work. Use a rising tone for excitement and a falling tone for disappointment.
Add 'Nossa' for flavor
In Brazil, starting with 'Nossa!' (Wow!) makes the surprise sound much more authentic and enthusiastic.
Watch your tone
If said with a flat voice, it can sound like you are disappointed rather than surprised. Keep it lively!
The 'Por Essa' Secret
Adding 'por essa' makes you sound like a native. It specifically points to the 'thing' that happened, making the sentence feel complete.
예시
6Um presente para mim? Não esperava!
A gift for me? I didn't expect it!
Shows gratitude and pleasant surprise.
Eles vão casar? Não esperava!
They are getting married? I didn't expect that!
Reacting to social news or gossip.
Esses resultados são ótimos, eu não esperava!
These results are great, I wasn't expecting them!
Expressing positive shock at performance data.
Que final de filme! Não esperava por essa!
What a movie ending! I didn't expect that one!
Using the 'por essa' variation for emphasis.
Você aqui em casa? Não esperava!
You here at my house? I didn't expect it!
Welcoming someone who arrived by surprise.
Só dez euros? Não esperava!
Only ten euros? I didn't expect that!
A humorous or relieved reaction to a price.
셀프 테스트
Your friend just told you they won the lottery. How do you react?
Nossa! Eu ___!
The past tense 'esperava' is used because the surprise has already happened.
Complete the common variation: 'Não esperava ___ essa!'
Não esperava ___ essa!
The preposition 'por' is used with 'esperar' when referring to a specific event or thing.
🎉 점수: /2
시각 학습 자료
Formality Spectrum of 'Não esperava!'
Used with friends and family
Nossa, não esperava!
Perfect for coworkers or strangers
Não esperava, obrigado.
Still usable but might be more specific
Eu realmente não esperava por este resultado.
Where to use 'Não esperava!'
Surprise Party
Gente! Não esperava!
Office News
Sério? Não esperava!
Texting
Kkkk não esperava!
Restaurant Bill
Barato! Não esperava!
자주 묻는 질문
10 질문It literally means 'I was not expecting.' It uses the imperfect past tense to describe a state of mind you had until the surprise happened.
Yes, it is neutral. You can use it for a surprise bill or a sudden rainstorm by saying Não esperava por essa chuva!
It is neutral. You can safely use it with your boss or your best friend without changing the words.
Esperava describes the ongoing state of not expecting something. Esperei means 'I waited' (a completed action). Use esperava for surprises.
You would say Não esperava isso de você. It can be used for both positive and negative surprises regarding someone's behavior.
No, it is usually dropped. Just saying Não esperava! is the most natural way to speak.
A more informal way to say this in Brazil is Essa me pegou de surpresa! (This one caught me by surprise).
No, if you are waiting, you use the present tense Estou esperando. Use Não esperava only for the shock of something unexpected.
Absolutely. It is a standard phrase across the entire Portuguese-speaking world.
Follow it with a thank you (obrigado) or a question like Como você fez isso? (How did you do that?).
관련 표현
Que surpresa!
What a surprise!
Sério?
Really? / Seriously?
Mentira!
No way! (literally: Lie!)
Tô chocado!
I'm shocked! (informal)
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