vez

Vez is a common noun in Spanish and Portuguese. In both languages it denotes time in the sense of an occurrence or a turn in a sequence. It is a feminine noun, used to express how often something happens or to indicate a person’s opportunity to act. The term also appears in set phrases that describe timing or order.

In Spanish, vez is used to talk about frequency and order. Examples include una vez (one time, once), dos veces (two times), and la primera vez (the first time). The phrase a la vez means at the same time, while a la vez can also imply doing something in a single attempt, as in hacerlo de una vez.

In Portuguese, vez has similar meanings. It appears in expressions such as uma vez (one time, once) and duas vezes (two times). Na minha vez means my turn. A common idiom is de vez em quando, meaning from time to time or occasionally. Portuguese also uses a related plural form in broader contexts, such as muitas vezes (many times).

Etymology traces vez to Latin vicis, through the Romance languages, where the word developed to express turns, changes, or occurrences in a sequence. Related terms in both languages include time-related phrases and constructions that mark order, repetition, or simultaneity.

See also phrases such as de vez em quando (Portuguese) and de vez en cuando (Spanish) for idiomatic uses that convey occasional frequency. Vez remains a core word for discussing timing, order of events, and opportunities in both Spanish and Portuguese.