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How to Say "you wait" in Spanish

English → Spanish

espera

/es-PEH-rah//esˈpeɾa/

VerbA1Formal
Use 'espera' when you are formally addressing one person ('usted') and telling them to wait, or when describing someone else waiting.
A woman looking out a window with a hopeful expression, illustrating 'espera' as in 'she waits' or 'she hopes'.

Examples

Señora, espera aquí, por favor.

Madam, wait here, please.

Mi hermano espera el tren en la estación.

My brother waits for the train at the station.

Ella espera que todo salga bien.

She hopes that everything turns out well.

¿Usted espera a alguien?

Are you (formal) waiting for someone?

Wait vs. Hope

The verb 'esperar' means both 'to wait' and 'to hope'. You can usually tell the difference from the rest of the sentence. If you're waiting for something or someone, use 'esperar a'. If you're hoping that something happens, use 'esperar que'.

Using 'esperar que'

When you say you hope that something else happens, the next verb often needs a special ending (this is called the subjunctive). For example, 'Ella espera que tú vengas' (She hopes that you come).

esperes

es-PEH-res/esˈpeɾes/

VerbB1Informal/Subjunctive
Use 'esperes' when you are expressing a wish or desire that someone ('tú') waits, or when giving a command to wait in an informal context.
A simple storybook illustration of a friendly young person standing patiently beside a brightly colored park bench, looking into the distance with an expectant expression.

Examples

Espero que tú esperes mi llamada.

I hope that you wait for my call.

Necesito que tú esperes hasta que yo llegue.

I need you to wait until I arrive.

No esperes que sea fácil; tienes que practicar mucho.

Don't expect it to be easy; you have to practice a lot.

Ojalá esperes un milagro, pero no cuentes con ello.

I hope you wait for a miracle, but don't count on it.

Two Functions of 'Esperes'

'Esperes' is the form used for 'you (tú)' in two situations: when giving a negative command ('No esperes') AND when the action is uncertain, desired, or doubted (e.g., 'Quiero que esperes').

The Subjunctive Trigger

You must use 'esperes' (the special verb form) after expressions of desire, emotion, doubt, or necessity, often introduced by 'que' (e.g., 'Es bueno que esperes').

Mixing Indicative and Subjunctive

Mistake: “Quiero que tú esperas aquí.”

Correction: Quiero que tú esperes aquí. (The desire of the first verb 'quiero' forces the second verb to take the special 'esperes' form.)

Formal vs. Informal 'Wait'

The most common mistake is using the informal 'esperes' when a formal 'espera' is required, or vice-versa. Always consider who you are speaking to: 'usted' (formal) uses 'espera', while 'tú' (informal) might use 'esperes' in specific contexts like wishes or commands.

Related Translations

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