aguardar Present Conjugation
aguardar — to wait for
The present tense 'aguardo', 'aguardas', 'aguarda' describes current or habitual waiting.
aguardar Present Forms
When to Use the Present
Use the present tense for actions of waiting happening right now ('Te aguardo en el café') or for habits ('Siempre aguardo el autobús en esta esquina'). It can also express general truths about waiting.
Notes on aguardar in the Present
Aguardar is regular in the present tense. All forms follow the standard pattern for -ar verbs.
Example Sentences
Te aguardo en la puerta.
I'm waiting for you at the door.
yo
¿Tú me aguardas aquí?
Are you waiting for me here?
tú
Él aguarda noticias de su familia.
He awaits news from his family.
él/ella/usted
Nosotros aguardamos el momento perfecto.
We are waiting for the perfect moment.
nosotros
Ellos aguardan la aprobación.
They are waiting for approval.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using 'estar' + 'aguardando' when a simple present is sufficient for current waiting.
Correct: Often, 'Te aguardo' is enough and sounds more natural than 'Te estoy aguardando'.
Why: While 'estar + gerund' is correct for ongoing actions, the simple present is frequently used in Spanish for actions happening now, especially with verbs like 'esperar' and 'aguardar'.
Mistake: Confusing the 'vosotros' form 'aguardáis' with other similar-sounding verb endings.
Correct: Remember the 'áis' ending for the vosotros present indicative.
Why: This ending is specific to vosotros and can be confused with other conjugations.
Master Spanish verbs in context
Memorizing tables only gets you so far. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories to see verbs like 'aguardar' used naturally — in the tenses you're learning.
Related Tenses
Preterite
yo: aguardé
The preterite of 'aguardar' is regular: aguardé, aguardaste, aguardó, aguardamos, aguardasteis, aguardaron.
Imperfect
yo: aguardaba
The imperfect 'aguardaba' describes ongoing or habitual waiting in the past.
Future
yo: aguardaré
The future tense 'aguardaré', 'aguardarás' indicates future waiting or probability.
Conditional
yo: aguardaría
The conditional 'aguardaría' expresses hypothetical waiting or polite requests.
Present Subjunctive
yo: aguarde
The present subjunctive ('aguarde', 'aguardes') is used for wishes, doubts, and emotions about waiting.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: aguardara
The imperfect subjunctive ('aguardara'/'aguardase') expresses hypothetical or uncertain waiting in the past.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: aguarda
Use 'aguarda' (tú) and 'aguarden' (ustedes) for direct commands to wait.
Negative Imperative
yo: no aguardes
Use 'no aguardes' (tú) and 'no aguarden' (ustedes) for negative commands to not wait.