Portuguese · Everyday Verbs
"to wait" in Portuguese: esperar
esperar
To wait in Portuguese is esperar. Say eu espero and espera um minuto for everyday waits.
Lobby
Eu espero você na recepção.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce esperar
Say it
es-peh-RAHR / es-PEH-roo / es-PEH-rah
/es.pe.ˈɾaʁ/
es-peh-RAHR. Eu espero is es-PEH-roo; espera is es-PEH-rah.
"to wait" in Portuguese: quick reference
| Portuguese | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| esperar | to wait Dictionary form. | Dictionary form. |
| eu espero | I wait / I hope First person (also hope). | First person (also hope). |
| você espera | you wait Questions. | Questions. |
| espera aí | wait a sec Casual imperative. | Casual imperative. |
| estou esperando | I’m waiting Progressive. | Progressive. |
How to use esperar in real life
- 1Lobby
Eu espero você na recepção.
I’ll wait for you at reception.
Eu espero.
- 2Call
Espera um segundo — estou ocupada.
Wait a second — I’m busy.
Espera.
- 3Queue
Estamos esperando a mesa há quinze minutos.
We’ve been waiting for the table for fifteen minutes.
Esperando.
Mistakes English speakers make with esperar
Incorrect: Eu esperar você aqui.
Correct: Eu espero você aqui.
Conjugate: eu espero.
Incorrect: Wait aí.
Correct: Espera aí.
Use espera, not English wait.
Good to know
Esperar means wait and also hope (espero que…), so tone and que clarify. Espera aí is the everyday pause button in Brazilian speech.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Meeting outside a store
ChatPal
Você me espera na porta?
Will you wait for me at the door?
You
Espero sim. Não demora?
I’ll wait yes. Won’t be long?
ChatPal
Cinco minutos. Espera aí com café.
Five minutes. Wait there with coffee.
You
Combinado. Te vejo já.
Deal. See you soon.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"to wait" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "to wait" in Portuguese
I wait?
Eu espero.
Wait a sec?
Espera aí.
Does espero mean hope?
Yes — Espero que… means I hope that…
I’m waiting?
Estou esperando.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
