Spanish · Everyday Verbs
"to hope" in Spanish: esperar
esperar
To hope in Spanish is esperar. Say espero que… for I hope. Esperar also means to wait—context decides.
Wish
Espero que llegues bien.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce esperar
Say it
ehs-peh-RAHR / ehs-PEH-roh
/es.pe.ˈɾaɾ/
ehs-peh-RAHR. Espero is ehs-PEH-roh. Stress PEH.
"to hope" in Spanish: quick reference
| Spanish | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| esperar | to hope / to wait Infinitive. | Infinitive. |
| espero que | I hope that Wish opener. | Wish opener. |
| espero | I hope / I wait Present first person. | Present first person. |
| ¡ojalá! | I hope so! / hopefully Strong wish. | Strong wish. |
| esperar el bus | to wait for the bus Wait meaning. | Wait meaning. |
How to use esperar in real life
- 1Wish
Espero que llegues bien.
I hope you arrive safely.
Espero que + wish.
- 2Plan
Espero verte el sábado.
I hope to see you Saturday.
Espero + infinitive.
- 3Bus stop
Espero el bus en la esquina.
I'm waiting for the bus on the corner.
Esperar also = wait.
Mistakes English speakers make with esperar
Incorrect: Yo hope que sí.
Correct: Espero que sí.
Use espero, not English hope.
Incorrect: Espero de que llueva (extra de).
Correct: Espero que llueva.
Say espero que, not espero de que in everyday Latin American speech.
Good to know
Good to knowEspero que… hopes; espero el bus waits. Ojalá adds stronger wishing. Listen for que after esperar (hope) vs a concrete object (wait).
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Wishing a friend luck before a trip
ChatPal
Espero que el vuelo salga a tiempo.
I hope the flight leaves on time.
You
Yo también espero que todo salga bien.
I also hope everything goes well.
ChatPal
Espero tu mensaje al llegar.
I'll wait for / hope for your message when you arrive.
You
Te escribo desde el aeropuerto.
I'll write you from the airport.
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 hope" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "to hope" in Spanish
How do I say I hope that…?
Espero que…
Does esperar mean wait too?
Yes—esperar el bus is wait for the bus.
Hopefully?
Ojalá / espero que sí.
How do you pronounce espero?
ehs-PEH-roh, stress on PEH.
Use these words in a conversation
Find useful phrases for a situation, learn what to say back, and rehearse your part with revealable sample answers.
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
Keep reading
- 8 Sentences with Ser in Spanish: Examples and GrammarExplore 8 sentences with ser in spanish covering identity, origin, time, and materials, with translations, grammar tips, and mistakes to avoid.
- 33 in Spanish: How to Say It and Use It NaturallyLearn how to say 33 in Spanish with clear pronunciation, ordinal forms, regional variations, and real example sentences for confident everyday speaking.
