Dictionary / French / I can't wait
How to Say "I can't wait" in French
J'ai hâte
/ʒe at/
Literally: I have eagerness
J'
I
ai
have
hâte
eagerness
Good to know
To say what you can't wait for, use j'ai hâte de with a verb: j'ai hâte de te voir. With a new subject, use j'ai hâte que and the subjunctive: j'ai hâte que tu sois là. For a thing, vivement works well: vivement les vacances.
Correct
J'ai hâte
What people say wrong
Je ne peux pas attendre
I'm not able to wait (I have to go, or it's urgent)
The mistake to avoid. Je ne peux pas attendre is a word for word copy of the English. In French it usually sounds like you are not able to wait, because you have to leave or something is urgent. It does not carry the excited meaning. The French way is j'ai hâte. And hâte has nothing to do with hate. The h is silent, and the word means eagerness.
In context
J'ai hâte de te voir samedi.
I can't wait to see you on Saturday.
J'ai hâte que tu sois là.
I can't wait for you to be here.
Tu as hâte de partir en vacances ?
Are you looking forward to going on holiday?