esperaba
“esperaba” means “was waiting” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:
was waiting
Also: used to wait, waited
📝 In Action
Yo esperaba el autobús cuando empezó a llover.
A2I was waiting for the bus when it started to rain.
Mi abuela siempre me esperaba con galletas después de la escuela.
B1My grandmother always used to wait for me with cookies after school.
La sala estaba llena; mucha gente esperaba para entrar.
B1The room was full; many people were waiting to get in.
was hoping
Also: used to hope, hoped
📝 In Action
Esperaba que me llamaras para mi cumpleaños.
B1I was hoping you would call me for my birthday.
Cuando era niño, esperaba ser bombero.
B1When I was a kid, I used to hope to be a firefighter.
Ella no dijo nada, pero yo sé que esperaba buenas noticias.
B2She didn't say anything, but I know she was hoping for good news.
was expecting
Also: used to expect, thought
📝 In Action
La verdad, no esperaba esa respuesta de ti.
B1Honestly, I wasn't expecting that answer from you.
Esperaba más gente en la fiesta.
B1I was expecting more people at the party.
El profesor esperaba un mayor esfuerzo por parte de los alumnos.
B2The teacher used to expect a greater effort from the students.
Indicative
Present
Imperfect
Preterite
Subjunctive
Present Subjunctive
Imperfect Subjunctive
Translate to Spanish
Words that translate to "esperaba" in Spanish:
hoped→thought→waited→was expecting→was hoping→was waiting→✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: esperaba
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence best captures the meaning of 'esperaba' as 'was hoping'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
'Esperaba' comes from the verb 'esperar,' which traces back to the Latin word 'spērāre'. 'Spērāre' meant 'to hope' or 'to look for with expectation.' It's interesting how the single Latin root gave us all three modern meanings: hoping, expecting, and the waiting that often comes with both.
First recorded: Around the 12th century.
Cognates (Related words)
💡 Master Spanish
Take your Spanish to the next level. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories tailored to your level with the Inklingo app!
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'esperaba' and 'esperó'?
Think of it like a movie scene. 'Esperaba' describes the background action that was already happening ('She was waiting by the window...'). 'Esperó' describes a specific, completed action that is part of the main story ('She waited for two hours, and then left.'). 'Esperaba' is for ongoing actions, 'esperó' is for finished ones.
How do I know if 'esperaba' means 'I', 'he', 'she', or 'you'?
You're right, the word itself can mean all of those! You have to look at the other words in the sentence. Often, the speaker will include 'yo' (I), 'él' (he), or 'ella' (she) for clarity. If not, the context of the conversation tells you who is being talked about.