Italian Phrase
Quando te ne vai?
Meaning
Literally ‘When you of‑it go?’, this informal phrase asks someone when they are going to leave. The ‘ne’ replaces a prepositional phrase like ‘de ti’ and gives the sentence a colloquial tone.
When to use
Use it in casual conversation with friends, family, or colleagues when you want to know the exact moment someone plans to depart. It’s typical in Portugal; in Brazil you would more likely hear ‘Quando você vai embora?’ or ‘Quando você vai sair?’
✦Grammar Breakdown
Quandotenevai?
Quando
Interrogative adverb meaning 'when', used to ask about time.
te
Clitic pronoun for second‑person singular (you), placed before the verb in European Portuguese.
ne
Pronoun ‘ne’ (from ‘de + isso/ele’) replaces a prepositional phrase like ‘de ti’ and is common in informal speech.
vai
Third‑person singular present of ‘ir’ (to go). In questions it functions as the main verb.
Verb‑Pronoun Order
In European Portuguese, clitic pronouns normally precede the finite verb (te vai). In Brazilian Portuguese they often follow (vai‑te).
🗨In Conversation
Quando te ne vai?
When are you leaving?
Ainda daqui a meia‑hora, mas já estou a arrumar as malas.
In about half an hour, but I'm already packing my bags.
✕Common Mistakes
Quando te ne vai?
In Brazilian Portuguese the clitic usually follows the verb (vai‑te). Using ‘te vai’ sounds European.
Quando te ne vai?
‘Ne’ is informal; in formal contexts replace it with ‘de ti’ or omit it entirely.
Quando eu te ne vai?
Do not use ‘vai’ for first‑person; the correct form would be ‘vou’ (I go).
↔Alternatives
Quando vais embora?
When are you going away?
A que horas vais sair?
At what time are you going out?
Quando é que vais embora?
When is it that you’re leaving?
Cultural Tip
The clitic ‘ne’ is a hallmark of informal European Portuguese and is rarely used in Brazil. It adds a friendly, slightly familiar flavor, so avoid it in formal settings or with strangers. Also, remember that Portuguese speakers often drop the subject pronoun because the verb conjugation already indicates the person.