How to Say "i waited" in Spanish
The Spanish word for “i waited” is “esperé” — A1 level. This is a very common word in everyday Spanish.
Examples
Esperé dos horas en la cola del cine.
I waited two hours in the movie line.
Esperé tu llamada todo el día, pero no llegó.
I waited for your call all day, but it didn't come.
Esperé que el resultado fuera mejor, pero no tuvimos suerte.
I hoped the result would be better, but we weren't lucky.
A Completed Past Action
This form, 'esperé,' is the simple past (preterite). It tells you that the action of waiting started and finished completely at a specific time in the past.
The Crucial Accent Mark
The accent on the 'é' is vital! It distinguishes 'yo esperé' (I waited) from 'él/ella/usted espere' (Wait!/that he waits, which is a command or a special wish form).
Preterite vs. Imperfect
Mistake: “Usando 'yo esperaba' cuando se necesita 'yo esperé'.”
Correction: Use 'esperé' when you waited and then the waiting finished ('Esperé media hora'). Use 'esperaba' when describing a background state or repeated action ('Siempre esperaba el bus allí').
Related Translations
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