esperas
“esperas” means “you wait” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
you wait, you are waiting
Also: you hope
📝 In Action
¿Qué esperas de mí?
A2What do you expect from me?
Esperas el autobús en la esquina.
A1You wait for the bus on the corner.
Si esperas demasiado, lo perderás.
B1If you wait too long, you will lose it.
waits
Also: expectations
📝 In Action
Las esperas en el hospital son muy largas.
B1The waits at the hospital are very long.
No cumplió con las esperas del cliente.
B2He did not meet the client's expectations.
Debido a las esperas, perdimos el vuelo.
B1Due to the delays (waits), we missed the flight.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: esperas
Question 1 of 2
Which English phrase correctly translates 'Esperas el paquete desde hace una semana'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes from the Latin verb *sperare*, meaning 'to hope' or 'to expect'. The meaning of 'to wait' developed later, connecting the idea of hopeful anticipation with the passage of time.
First recorded: Around the 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'esperas' the same as 'estás esperando'?
They are very similar! 'Esperas' (Present Simple) means 'You wait' or 'You habitually wait.' 'Estás esperando' (Present Continuous) emphasizes that the waiting is happening right now. In Spanish, the simple present ('esperas') is often used even when talking about something happening at the moment, making it more common.
How do I know if 'esperas' means 'wait' or 'hope'?
Context is key. If the sentence involves an action that takes time (like waiting for a bus or a person), it means 'to wait.' If it involves a desire for a future outcome (like 'esperas que todo salga bien'), it means 'to hope' or 'to expect.'