esperamos
“esperamos” means “we wait” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
we wait, we hope
Also: we are waiting, we expect
📝 In Action
Esperamos el tren en la estación.
A1We are waiting for the train at the station.
Siempre esperamos lo mejor de nuestros estudiantes.
A2We always expect the best from our students.
Esperamos que llegues a tiempo para la cena.
B1We hope that you arrive in time for dinner.
we waited
Also: we hoped
📝 In Action
Esperamos en la sala de espera por más de una hora.
A2We waited in the waiting room for more than an hour.
Esperamos su llamada toda la tarde.
A2We waited for his call all afternoon.
Esperamos que el viaje fuera fácil, pero no lo fue.
B1We hoped the trip would be easy, but it wasn't.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: esperamos
Question 1 of 2
Which English sentence MUST refer to the past tense use of 'esperamos'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes from the Latin verb *sperare*, meaning 'to hope' or 'to expect.' The meaning of 'to wait' developed later in Spanish and other Romance languages, merging the concepts of anticipation and duration.
First recorded: 13th century (in its modern form)
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if 'esperamos' means 'we wait' or 'we hoped'?
Context is the key. If the sentence includes a clear past time marker (like 'last week' or 'yesterday'), it means 'we waited' (past). If it refers to an ongoing action or a future desire, it means 'we wait/hope' (present).
What is the difference between 'esperamos' and 'esperemos'?
'Esperamos' is the simple statement of fact: 'We wait' or 'We waited.' 'Esperemos' is the special form used to express a strong desire or command for the group: 'Let's wait' or 'We hope that...'