Spanish · Everyday Verbs
"to wait" in Spanish: esperar
esperar
To wait in Spanish is esperar. Say yo espero and espera un momento. Esperar can also mean to hope or expect.
Bus stop
Yo espero el bus en la esquina.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce esperar
Say it
ehs-peh-RAHR / ehs-PEH-roh / ehs-PEH-rah
/es.pe.ˈɾaɾ/
ehs-peh-RAHR. Espero is ehs-PEH-roh; espera is ehs-PEH-rah.
"to wait" in Spanish: quick reference
| Spanish | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| esperar | to wait Dictionary form. | Dictionary form. |
| yo espero | I wait / I hope First person. | First person. |
| espera | wait!; he/she waits Command or present. | Command or present. |
| esperamos | we wait Group present. | Group present. |
| estoy esperando | I’m waiting Progressive. | Progressive. |
How to use esperar in real life
- 1Bus stop
Yo espero el bus en la esquina.
I wait for the bus on the corner.
Yo espero.
- 2Phone
Espera un momento, por favor.
Wait a moment, please.
Command espera.
- 3Cafe
Esperamos una mesa para dos.
We’re waiting for a table for two.
Esperamos.
Mistakes English speakers make with esperar
Incorrect: Yo esperar aquí.
Correct: Yo espero aquí.
Conjugate: yo espero.
Incorrect: Espero por el bus.
Correct: Espero el bus.
Esperar usually takes a direct object, not por.
Good to know
Good to knowEspera is a soft “hold on.” Esperar also means to hope: Espero que estés bien. In Latin America, ustedes esperan is the plural form.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Meeting a friend
ChatPal
¿Me esperas en la entrada?
Will you wait for me at the entrance?
You
Te espero cinco minutos.
I’ll wait for you five minutes.
ChatPal
Gracias. Yo también espero al taxi.
Thanks. I’m also waiting for the taxi.
You
Avisame cuando llegues.
Text me when you get there.
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 Spanish
I wait?
Yo espero.
Wait a moment?
Espera un momento.
Does esperar mean hope?
Yes — espero que… means I hope that…
How do you say waiting?
Estoy esperando.
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