Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| esperar | /espeˈɾaɾ/ | |
| aguardar | /aɡwaɾˈdaɾ/ | |
| aguantar | /aɡwanˈtaɾ/ | |
| bancar | /banˈkaɾ/ | transitive |
Esperar is a common and versatile way to say 'wait' in Spanish. It is polysemous, meaning it can mean both 'to wait' and 'to hope' depending on the context. When you are waiting for a person, Spanish often uses the construction esperar a (for example, Espero a María).
Which one should you use?
While esperar is the common word for 'to wait', aguardar is a more formal synonym that often implies waiting for a person or a specific event. Aguantar is used when the sense of waiting implies enduring a difficult situation or tolerating something. Bancar is a transitive verb.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Aguardar is a more formal synonym of esperar. Espera is the informal singular version of esperar.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun espera refers to the act of waiting (the wait), whereas esperar is the verb (to wait). Related nouns for a delay include espera and retraso.
How do you pronounce it?
/espeˈɾaɾ/
Did you know?
- The phrase esperar sentado is a common idiom used to tell someone they are waiting for something that will likely never happen.
- The verb aguantar originally comes from the Italian word agguantare, which refers to seizing something with a glove.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, a person might say ¡Espérame! not just to ask you to wait, but as a way to tell you to slow down your pace while walking.
Examples in context
- No voy a esperar.I don't plan to wait.This sentence is useful for expressing a lack of intention to wait using esperar.Tatoeba #7916800 by arh, translation #6273563 by CK
- Vamos a esperar acá.We'll wait here.This sentence is useful for stating a plan to wait in a specific location using esperar.Tatoeba #2449250 by hayastan, translation #2241639 by CK
- Ve a esperar afuera.Go wait outside.This sentence is useful for giving a command to wait in a specific location using esperar.Tatoeba #2886029 by marcelostockle, translation #2649030 by CK
- Por favor, espere un momentoPlease wait a moment
- Esperemos a que llegue el jefeLet's wait for the boss to arrive
- Le ruego que aguarde unos minutosI kindly ask you to wait a few minutes
- Espera un segundo, por favorWait a second, please
- Esperen aquí mientras vuelvoWait here while I come back
- 411 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Javier are standing outside a restaurant.
- LucíaJavier, ¿vamos a esperar a que abran?Javier, are we going to wait until they open?
- JavierSí, podemos esperar un poco más.Yes, we can wait a little longer.
- LucíaNo quiero esperar mucho tiempo.I don't want to wait a long time.
- JavierNo te preocupes, Lucía, ya casi abren.Don't worry, Lucía, they are almost open.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “wait” translations and entries esperar, aguardar, aguantar, bancar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries aguantar, aguardar, bancar, esperar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
