espera
/esˈpeɾa/
In Spanish, 'hang on' is translated as espera.
You can expand this by saying espera un segundo to mean 'hang on a second' or espera un momento to mean 'hang on a moment'.
Meaning: wait a minute (verb)
Which one should you use?
Depending on the context and punctuation, the word espera can function as the command 'hang on!' or as the indicative form meaning 'he/she waits'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form espera is the imperative command used when speaking to one person informally (tú). To tell a group of people to 'hang on', use the plural form esperen.
How do you pronounce it?
/esˈpeɾa/
Did you know?
- The Spanish word espera shares a distant linguistic ancestor with the English word 'desperate', which originally related to the idea of 'hoping' or 'expecting'.
- In Spanish, the concept of 'waiting' and 'hoping' are captured by the same verb esperar, meaning that espera can signal both a request to pause and a wish for something to happen.
- Depending on the region, saying espera is often paired with a physical gesture, such as raising a single finger or showing an open palm, to visually reinforce the request to stop.
Examples in context
- ¡Ah! ¡Espera un momento!Aah! Hang on a minute!This example uses espera to express a sudden realization or interruption.Tatoeba #1642378 by Shishir, translation #1636248 by fengli
- Espera un minuto, que bajo.Hang on a minute, I'm coming down.This sentence uses espera to tell someone to wait while the speaker descends.Tatoeba #6564635 by arh, translation #10688002 by DJ_Saidez
- Espera un minuto, que llamo a Jimmy.Hang on a minute. I'll call Jimmy.This sentence uses espera to indicate a brief pause before making a phone call.Tatoeba #879353 by inmachan, translation #39976 by CN
- 11 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro is leaving the house and Lucía wants him to stay for a moment.
- Alejandro¡Me voy ya!, nos vemos luego.I'm leaving now! See you later.
- LucíaEspera, Alejandro, se te olvidó el paraguas.Wait, Alejandro, you forgot your umbrella.
- Alejandro¡Ah! Tienes razón, gracias.Ah! You're right, thanks.
- LucíaDe nada, que tengas un buen día.You're welcome, have a good day.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry espera, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries espera, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
