esperado
/espeˈɾado/
The English phrase 'expected' is translated into Spanish as esperado.
esperado is used to describe something that is anticipated or likely to happen. In technical contexts, the term previsible is used to refer to something that is predictable or foreseeable. If you want to express that something was planned or expected, you might use previsto(a).
Which one should you use?
While esperado refers to something anticipated, previsto(a) is used specifically when the expectation implies that something was planned. Additionally, previsible is used to denote something that is predictable.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the term previsible is widely used to express 'expected'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form of the word changes to agree with the gender and number of the noun it modifies. Use esperado for masculine singular nouns, esperada for feminine singular nouns, esperados for masculine plural nouns and esperadas for feminine plural nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/espeˈɾado/
Did you know?
- In Spanish, the act of 'expecting a baby' is expressed as esperar un bebé, which literally translates to 'waiting for a baby'.
- The word esperar shares an ancient root with the Latin 'sperare', meaning 'to hope'. This is why a person who is 'esperado' is someone who is being waited for, but the root also connects to the very concept of hope.
- Because esperar covers both 'to wait' and 'to hope', the English word 'expected' can sometimes feel incomplete in Spanish. For instance, a 'resultado esperado' could mean a result that was merely anticipated or one that was desired.
Examples in context
- Tom lo hizo mejor de lo que había esperado.Tom did better than I expected.This sentence shows how to use esperado in the context of performance.Tatoeba #1396807 by marcelostockle, translation #1094863 by CK
- Eso es distinto de lo que yo había esperado.That is different than what I had expected.This sentence demonstrates how to use esperado to express a difference in expectation.Tatoeba #1861767 by marcelostockle, translation #5633545 by tabular
- Las cosas llegan en el momento menos esperado.Things come at the least expected time.This sentence illustrates the use of esperado regarding timing.Tatoeba #10179382 by Jeigmz, translation #10255421 by LimeGreenTeknii
- El resultado esperado del proyecto es…The expected outcome of the project is…
- La fecha esperada de entrega es…The expected delivery date is…
- El aumento previsible de la demanda…The expected increase in demand…
- Las consecuencias previsibles del cambio climático…The foreseeable consequences of climate change…
- El tiempo previsto para finalizar el proyecto es…The expected time to complete the project is…
- Las previstas mejoras en el sistema…The expected improvements in the system…
- El resultado esperado del partido era obvio.The expected outcome of the match was obvious.
- Lo que se espera del concierto es una gran actuación.What is expected from the concert is a great performance.
- Que llueva en abril es lo normal en esta región.Rain in April is expected in this region.
- 16 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and Elena are discussing a business result.
- JavierEl resultado fue el esperado.The result was the expected one.
- ElenaSí, todo salió según el plan.Yes, everything went according to plan.
- Javier¿Crees que sea lo esperado por el jefe?Do you think it's what the boss expected?
- ElenaSeguro que él estará muy contento.I'm sure he will be very happy.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry esperado, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries esperado, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
