wake-up

[/weɪk ʌp/]
noun/adjectivepl: wake-ups
acordar/despertador/aviso
1. The act of waking up or ceasing to sleep
My wake-up time is 6 AM every morning.
Minha hora de acordar é às 6 da manhã todos os dias.
2. A call or signal to wake someone up, typically by phone or alarm
I requested a wake-up call from the hotel front desk.
Solicitei uma chamada de despertador na recepção do hotel.
3. A sudden realization or warning that prompts someone to pay attention or take action
That near-accident was a wake-up call for him to drive more carefully.
Aquele quase-acidente foi um aviso importante para ele dirigir com mais cuidado.
4. Used as an adjective to describe something related to waking or morning routines
I set my wake-up alarm for tomorrow.
Coloquei meu alarme de despertador para amanhã.
In both American and Brazilian cultures, 'wake-up call' is commonly used metaphorically to describe a shocking event that forces someone to confront reality or change their behavior. In hotels, 'wake-up call' service is a traditional amenity, though less common with modern smartphones. The phrase is particularly prevalent in business and self-help contexts in the USA.
NYC Slang
alarm/heads up/reality check
Synonyms / Sinônimos
awakeningalarmcallrousingwakefulness
Antonyms / Antônimos
sleepslumberrest

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
despertador/acordar/aviso
Most common and widely understood across Brazil
Rio de Janeiro
chamada de despertador/acordada
Often used 'chamada de despertador' in hotel contexts
São Paulo
despertador/aviso importante
Business context often emphasizes metaphorical 'aviso'
Portugal
chamada/despertador/aviso
Similar usage but 'chamada' is more common in formal settings

Related Words

alarm clocksnoozedawnmorningrouse

Related Idioms & Phrases

a wake-up call
time to wake up and smell the coffee
wake-up call from reality
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