esperábamos
es-peh-RAH-bah-mos
Quick Reference
📝 In Action
Esperábamos el autobús cuando empezó a llover.
A2We were waiting for the bus when it started to rain.
Siempre esperábamos las vacaciones de verano con mucha ilusión.
B1We always used to look forward to summer vacation with great excitement.
Esperábamos que la película fuera mejor.
B2We were hoping the movie would be better.
💡 Grammar Points
The 'We' Past Tense
The ending -ábamos always tells you the action was performed by 'we' (nosotros/nosotras). This specific form is only used for regular verbs ending in -ar, like 'esperar'.
Continuous or Habitual Past
Use this imperfect tense form to describe actions that were ongoing in the past ('we were waiting') or actions that happened repeatedly ('we used to wait').
❌ Common Pitfalls
Imperfect vs. Preterite
Mistake: "Using 'esperamos' (we waited) when you mean the waiting was ongoing."
Correction: Use 'esperábamos' when the waiting was a background action or a state of mind. 'Esperamos' (preterite) tells you the action started and finished quickly.
⭐ Usage Tips
Setting the Scene
The imperfect tense is great for describing the setting before a main event happened: 'Esperábamos tranquilamente cuando de repente...' (We were waiting calmly when suddenly...).
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: esperábamos
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence correctly uses 'esperábamos' to describe a repeated action in the past?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'esperábamos' the same as 'we waited'?
Not exactly. While it translates to 'we waited,' it implies that the waiting was ongoing or habitual. If you mean 'we waited and then the action finished' (a single completed action), you should use the preterite form: 'esperamos'.
Does 'esperábamos' mean 'we were hoping' or 'we were waiting'?
It can mean both! The context determines which meaning is intended. If it's followed by 'que' (e.g., 'Esperábamos que vinieras'), it usually means 'we were hoping.' If it's followed by a direct object (e.g., 'el médico'), it means 'we were waiting.'