esperar
/es-peh-RAHR/
to wait for
The primary meaning of esperar is 'to wait for'. Here, a person is waiting for the bus.
esperar(Verb)
to wait for
?waiting for a person, bus, event, etc.
to hold on
?when talking on the phone
📝 In Action
Estoy esperando el autobús.
A1I'm waiting for the bus.
Te espero en el café a las cinco.
A1I'll wait for you at the café at five.
¿Puedes esperar un momento, por favor?
A2Can you wait a moment, please?
💡 Grammar Points
No 'for' needed!
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.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'por'
Mistake: "Voy a esperar por el tren."
Correction: Voy a esperar el tren. Unlike in English, you don't need a word like 'for' (`por`) after `esperar` when you mean 'to wait for'.
The second meaning of esperar is 'to hope', representing a wish for a positive future outcome.
📝 In Action
Espero que tengas un buen día.
A2I hope you have a good day.
Esperamos ganar el partido.
B1We hope to win the game.
Mi abuela espera sentirse mejor pronto.
B1My grandmother hopes to feel better soon.
💡 Grammar Points
'esperar que' + a 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' + the basic 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).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting the special verb form
Mistake: "Espero que vienes a la fiesta."
Correction: Espero que vengas a la fiesta. After `esperar que`, when you're expressing a hope, Spanish requires this special verb ending to show uncertainty or desire.
Esperar can also mean 'to expect', often used when anticipating an arrival or event, such as expecting a baby.
📝 In Action
No esperaba tu llamada.
B1I wasn't expecting your call.
Se espera lluvia para el fin de semana.
B1Rain is expected for the weekend.
Mi jefe espera el informe para mañana.
B2My boss expects the report by tomorrow.
Mi hermana está esperando un bebé.
B1My sister is expecting a baby.
💡 Grammar Points
Expressing an Expectation
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).
⭐ Usage Tips
A Special Case: Expecting a Baby
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'.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
preterite
imperfect
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: esperar
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'esperar' to mean 'to wait'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I tell if 'esperar' means 'to wait', 'to hope', or 'to expect'?
It's all about the context! Think about the situation. If it's about time passing at a location (like a bus stop), it means 'to wait'. If it's about a wish for the future (like passing an exam), it means 'to hope'. If it's about something you think will probably happen (like a scheduled delivery), it means 'to expect'. The surrounding words will give you all the clues you need.
Why does the verb after 'esperar que' sometimes change its ending?
That's a great question! In Spanish, when you express a hope, wish, or doubt about what someone *else* will do, the verb for that action changes its ending. This special form (the subjunctive) signals that it's not a fact, but a hope. So, 'Espero que vengas' (I hope you come) uses this special form, but 'Creo que vienes' (I believe you are coming) uses the normal form because it expresses more certainty.