Using 'por'

In English, you 'wait FOR the bus'. In Spanish, you just 'wait the bus' (`esperar el autobús`). You directly connect `esperar` to the thing you're waiting for. You only use 'a' when waiting for a specific person: `Espero a mi amigo`.

No 'for' needed!

Extremely common. This is one of the first meanings you'll learn and use daily.

Forgetting the special verb form

When you hope THAT someone else does something, the verb after 'que' changes. This special form is called the subjunctive. For example: `Espero que vengas` (I hope that you come).

'esperar que' + a special verb form

If the person doing the hoping is also the one doing the action, you don't need 'que'. Just use the basic '-ar', '-er', or '-ir' form of the second verb. For example: `Espero ganar` (I hope to win).

'esperar' + the basic verb form

Just as common as 'to wait', this is the go-to verb for expressing hopes and wishes.

When you use 'esperar' to mean 'expect', you're stating that you believe something is likely to happen. The verb that follows it will usually be in its normal, non-special form (the indicative).

Expressing an Expectation

The phrase `estar esperando un bebé` or simply `esperar un bebé` is the most common and natural way to say someone is pregnant or 'expecting a baby'.

A Special Case: Expecting a Baby

Common in situations involving plans, predictions, or assumptions.

Learn the complete meaning of the Spanish verb 'esperar'. Master its three uses: 'to wait', 'to hope', and 'to expect'. Includes full conjugation tables, examples, and common mistakes.

Esperar Meaning, Conjugation & Usage | InkLingo

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Verb conjugation is the backbone of Spanish communication. Every sentence you speak or write requires at least one conjugated verb, and getting it right determines whether you sound fluent or confused.

The good news: Spanish has clear patterns. Regular -ar, -er, and -ir verbs follow predictable rules, and the 20 most common irregular verbs cover the vast majority of everyday conversation. Master those, and you''re already ahead of most learners.

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Spanish has 14 major verb tenses across 3 moods (indicative, subjunctive, imperative), but just 3 tenses — present, preterite, and imperfect — account for over 80% of verbs used in everyday speech. Focus there first.

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The conditional of esperar is regular: esperaría, esperarías, esperaría, esperaríamos, esperaríais, esperarían.

The future of esperar uses the infinitive as the stem: esperaré, esperarás, esperará, esperaremos, esperaréis, esperarán.

The affirmative imperative of esperar uses: espera (tú), espere (usted), esperemos (nosotros), esperad (vosotros), esperen (ustedes).

The imperfect of esperar uses standard -aba endings: esperaba, esperabas, esperaba, esperábamos, esperabais, esperaban.

The imperfect subjunctive of esperar is formed from 'esperaron': esperara, esperaras, esperara, esperáramos, esperarais, esperaran.

The negative imperative of esperar uses the present subjunctive: no esperes, no espere, no esperemos, no esperéis, no esperen.

The present tense of esperar is regular: espero, esperas, espera, esperamos, esperáis, esperan.

The present subjunctive of esperar uses -e endings: espere, esperes, espere, esperemos, esperéis, esperen.

The preterite of esperar is regular: esperé, esperaste, esperó, esperamos, esperasteis, esperaron.

esperar

Complete Conjugation Tables

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

present

future

imperfect

conditional

preterite

imperative

negative

affirmative

subjunctive

present

imperfect

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