Inklingo

How to Say "expecting" in Spanish

English → Spanish

embarazada

/em-bah-rah-SAH-dah//embaɾaˈsaða/

adjectiveA1informal synonym
Use 'embarazada' when referring to a woman who is pregnant.
A simple storybook illustration of a smiling woman standing, visibly pregnant with a large rounded belly, gently resting her hands on her stomach.

Examples

Mi hermana está embarazada de su primer hijo.

My sister is pregnant with her first child.

Vimos a una mujer muy embarazada en la parada del autobús.

We saw a very pregnant woman at the bus stop.

Ella acaba de anunciar que está embarazada.

She just announced that she is expecting.

Always Feminine

This adjective is always feminine (embarazada) because it only describes a female person or animal.

Use 'Estar'

Since pregnancy is a temporary state, use the verb 'estar' (to be temporarily) with 'embarazada', not 'ser' (to be permanent).

The False Friend

Mistake: “Using 'embarazada' to mean 'embarrassed' (e.g., 'Estoy muy embarazada').”

Correction: To express embarrassment, use 'avergonzada' or 'tengo vergüenza'. Remember: EMBARAZADA = PREGNANT.

esperando

/es-peh-RAHN-doh//es.peˈɾan.do/

Verb (Gerund)A2general
Use 'esperando' when you are waiting for something to happen or someone to arrive.
A young child sitting patiently on a small wooden bench at a simple bus stop shelter, looking down an empty road with anticipation.

Examples

Estoy esperando el autobús.

I'm waiting for the bus.

Mi hermana está esperando un bebé.

My sister is expecting a baby.

Sigo esperando que me llames.

I'm still hoping that you'll call me.

The Spanish '-ing' Form

'Esperando' is the '-ing' version of the verb 'esperar'. You almost always use it with a helper verb like 'estar' (to be) to talk about an action happening right now. Think of 'estar' + '-ando' as the Spanish recipe for 'is/am/are' + '-ing'.

Three Meanings in One

Unlike English, Spanish uses 'esperando' for 'waiting', 'hoping', and 'expecting'. The meaning is usually very clear from the rest of the sentence.

'Waiting for' is built-in

Mistake: “Estoy esperando por el tren.”

Correction: Estoy esperando el tren. The verb 'esperar' already includes the idea of 'for', so you don't need to add an extra word like 'por' or 'para'.

Pregnant vs. Waiting

The most common mistake is using 'esperando' when you mean 'pregnant'. Remember, 'embarazada' specifically means pregnant, while 'esperando' is for any kind of waiting or anticipation.

Related Translations

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