Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA |
|---|---|
| esperar | /is.peˈɾa(ʁ)/ (Brazil) /es.peˈɾa(ʁ)/ (Brazil) |
| aguardar | /a.ɡwaʁˈda(ʁ)/ (Brazil) /a.ɡwaɾˈda(ɾ)/ (São Paulo) |
| predizer | /pɾe.d͡ʒiˈze(ʁ)/ (Brazil) /pɾe.d͡ʒiˈze(ɾ)/ (São Paulo) |
The verb esperar is used to mean 'to expect', 'to look for' or 'to look forward to'. It also carries the meaning of 'to wait'. When you want to say 'to wait for' someone or something, esperar is often followed by the preposition por, such as in esperar por você.
Which one should you use?
While esperar covers both 'to wait' and 'to expect', aguardar is a synonym used specifically when the meaning is 'to wait' or 'to await'. Additionally, predizer is not a general word for expecting. It is used specifically for the act of predicting or foretelling an event.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Brazilian Portuguese, if you want to say 'I expect your reply', you can say Eu conto com a sua resposta. In European Portuguese, the phrase 'I expect your reply' is expressed as Espero pela sua resposta.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of esperar is /is.peˈɾa(ʁ)/. It has three syllables, with the stress on the third syllable.
Did you know?
- In Portuguese, you can use esperar to describe the act of a woman being pregnant, such as saying está à espera de um bebê to mean 'she is expecting a baby'.
- The root of esperar is actually linked to 'hope'. Its ancestral Latin form, spēs, refers to the concept of hope rather than just a temporal expectation.
- Unlike the English 'expect' which can sometimes imply a command or a demand, the Portuguese esperar remains more neutral, focusing on the state of waiting or the anticipation itself.
Examples in context
- Não sei o que esperar.I don't know what to expect.This sentence is useful for practicing the verb esperar in a negative context.Tatoeba #7328444 by Ricardo14, translation #2396078 by CK
- Eu não esperaria muito.I wouldn't expect too much.This sentence shows a way to use esperar regarding expectations.Tatoeba #4809881 by Ricardo14, translation #4809576 by CK
- O que você pode esperar?What can you expect?This sentence is a way to ask a question using esperar.Tatoeba #9972444 by Silfarle, translation #3824835 by CK
- Eu espero encontrar o meu amigo no aeroporto.I expect to meet my friend at the airport.
- Aguardo a sua resposta com interesse.I expect your reply with interest.
- Eu conto com a sua ajuda.I expect your help.
- Espero por uma resposta em breve.I expect a reply soon.
- 19 more sentences on Tatoeba
Sources
- Wiktionary, “expect” translations and entries esperar, aguardar, predizer, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries aguardar, esperar, predizer, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
