esperar
/is.peˈɾa(ʁ)/
The English verb 'wait' is translated into Portuguese as esperar. Wiktionary also lists aguardar.
Meaning: delay until some event (verb)
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) |
The primary way to express the idea of delaying an action until a certain event occurs is with esperar. Note that esperar is polysemous and can also mean 'to hope'. The noun form espera refers to 'a delay'.
Which one should you use?
While esperar is the common, everyday word for 'to wait', aguardar is a more formal synonym that is frequently used in professional or written contexts, often carrying the nuance of 'to await'.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
In many contexts, particularly in Brazilian Portuguese, esperar can be used directly with a person or object. However, esperar por is also a common way to express 'waiting for' someone or something.
How do you pronounce it?
/is.peˈɾa(ʁ)/. The word has 3 syllables, with the stress on the 3rd syllable.
Did you know?
- The expression esperar sentado literally means 'to wait sitting down' and is used to tell someone their hope is unrealistic.
- The word esperar has a distant cousin in the English word 'despair', as both words are built around the concept of the loss or presence of 'hope'.
- The formal verb aguardar is built from the root guardar, which means 'to keep' or 'to guard'.
Examples in context
- Vou esperar o Tom.I'll wait up for Tom.This sentence shows how to use esperar when waiting for a person.Tatoeba #3447761 by Ricardo14, translation #3330067 by CK
- Eu não vou esperar.I'm not going to wait.This sentence shows a negation using esperar.Tatoeba #5127026 by bill, translation #2547160 by CK
- O céu pode esperar.Heaven can wait.This sentence demonstrates the use of esperar in a metaphorical sense.Tatoeba #6041503 by sergiomelo, translation #12198598 by Miktsoanit
- Aguarde um momento, por favor.Wait a moment, please.
- Por favor, espere sua vez com paciência.Please wait your turn patiently.
- Espera só um pouquinho, já volto!Just wait a little bit, I'll be right back!
- Segura aí que eu já venho!Hold on, I'll be right there!
- Espera um momento.Wait a moment.
- Espera aí!Wait up!
- 648 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel and Juliana are at a bus stop.
- GabrielVocê pode esperar o ônibus comigo?Can you wait for the bus with me?
- JulianaSim, eu vou esperar aqui.Yes, I will wait here.
- GabrielO ônibus deve chegar logo.The bus should arrive soon.
- JulianaEspero que ele não demore.I hope it doesn't take long.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “wait” translations and entries esperar, aguardar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
