Mastering "Esperar" – A Verb of Waiting, Expecting, and Hoping
Each week, we explore a Spanish word in depth, helping you expand your vocabulary and refine your language skills. This week, our focus is on esperar—a versatile verb that means to wait, to expect, or to hope.
Understanding "Esperar" in Context
“You can’t always get what you want”—at least not immediately! Sometimes, you have to wait. That’s where esperar comes in. Let’s break down its different uses with examples.
1. Using "Esperar" to Mean "To Wait"
When esperar is used to indicate waiting, it can stand alone or be followed by a grammatical object:
-
Estamos esperando más noticias.
We’re waiting for further news. -
Espere un momento, si es tan amable.
Would you mind waiting a moment?
If you’re waiting to do something, you need a before the verb:
- Estaba esperando a salir al escenario.
I was waiting to go on stage.
2. Using "Esperar" to Mean "To Expect"
When you expect someone else to do something, the verb that follows must be in the subjunctive mood:
-
Esperaban que les pidiera perdón.
They were expecting him to apologize. -
No esperaba que te comportases de ese modo.
I wasn’t expecting you to behave like that.
3. Using "Esperar" to Mean "To Hope"
Esperar is frequently used to express hope, often requiring the subjunctive:
-
Espero que le guste el regalo.
I hope she likes the present. -
Esperamos que no sea nada grave.
We hope it’s nothing serious.
However, when the subject doing the hoping is also carrying out the action, the infinitive is used instead:
-
¿Qué esperas lograr con eso?
What do you hope to achieve by that? -
Espera no llegar muy tarde.
She hopes she won’t arrive very late.
Final Thoughts
Mastering the nuances of esperar will enhance both your comprehension and fluency in Spanish. Stay tuned for next week’s Word of the Week for another deep dive into Spanish vocabulary!
