What does esperar in Spanish mean?

What is the meaning of the word esperar in Spanish? The article explains the full meaning, pronunciation along with bilingual examples and instructions on how to use esperar in Spanish.

The word esperar in Spanish means wait for, wait, hope, wait for, wait until, might have known, wait up, expect the worst, don't hold your breath, make wait, be expected, I'm sorry I made you wait. To learn more, please see the details below.

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Meaning of the word esperar

wait for

verbo transitivo (aguardar algo, a alguien)

Los niños están esperando el autobús. Llevo una hora esperando a mi hermano.

The children are waiting for the bus. I've been waiting for my brother for an hour.

wait

verbo intransitivo (aguardar)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")

¿Dónde estabas? ¡Hemos esperado veinte minutos!

Where were you? We've been waiting twenty minutes!

hope

verbo transitivo (confiar, tener esperanza)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")

Los desempleados esperan encontrar trabajo muy pronto. La familia del enfermo espera que este tratamiento funcione.

The unemployed hope to find work very soon. The patient's family hopes that the treatment works.

wait for, wait until

(aguardar antes de actuar)

Esperen a que les dé la orden para comenzar el examen.

Wait until I give you the go-ahead to start the exam.

might have known

expresión (era previsible)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

¡Era de esperar! Olvidé mi paraguas en casa y llegué empapada al trabajo.

It was to be expected! I left my umbrella at home and got to work soaked.

wait up

locución verbal (estar pendiente)

(phrasal verb, intransitive: Verb with adverb(s) or preposition(s), having special meaning and not taking direct object--for example, "make up" [=reconcile]: "After they fought, they made up.")

expect the worst

locución verbal (coloquial (esperar con pesimismo)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

don't hold your breath

expresión (dar largas)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

—Me dijo que iba a venir a arreglar la fuga hoy por la tarde. —Pues espere sentada porque Jaime le dice lo mismo a todo el mundo y nunca llega.

- He told me that he was coming to fix the leak this afternoon. - Well, don't hold your breath, because Jim says the same thing to everyone and he never comes.

make wait

locución verbal (ser impuntual)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

El médico siempre hace esperar a los pacientes.

The doctor always makes the patients wait.

be expected

locución verbal (ser previsible)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Era de esperar que Juan cancelara: siempre lo hace. Tu fracaso escolar era de esperar.

Juan pulling out was to be expected.

I'm sorry I made you wait

expresión (lamento la tardanza)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

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