espere, por favor
In Spanish, "wait, please" is said as espere, por favor.
This phrase is used to make a polite request for someone to stop what they are doing and stay in place for a short period of time. You can also use the common alternative un momento, por favor, which means "one moment, please".
Which one should you use?
The choice between forms depends on the level of formality required. For a formal request, use espere, por favor. For informal situations, you might use espera, por favor, Espera un momentito, por favor (Wait a little moment, please), Por favor, aguanta (Please hang on) or the question ¿Me esperas un segundo, por favor? (Can you wait a second, please?).
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb used is esperar (to wait).
Did you know?
- While 'esperar' means 'to wait', it also means 'to hope' in Spanish. If you say 'Te espero', you could be telling someone 'I am waiting for you' or 'I hope for you'.
- In many Latin American countries, you might hear people use the verb aguantar to mean 'wait' or 'hold on'. While it literally means 'to endure' or 'to bear', it functions as a common colloquial way to ask someone to stay put.
- If you are in a very informal setting, you might hear espérate un segundo. Adding the reflexive pronoun 'te' changes the feeling from a polite request to a more direct, almost bossy, command to 'wait up'.
Examples in context
- Disculpe, tenga la amabilidad de esperar mientras reviso mis notasExcuse me, please wait while I review my notes.
- Espera un momentito, por favor. Necesito mirar el menúWait a little moment, please. I need to check the menu.
- Espere, por favor, necesito revisar esto.Wait, please, I need to check this.
- Espere, por favor, casi termino.Wait, please, I am almost finished.
- Espere, por favor, no se mueva.Wait, please, do not move.
Example conversation
Javier is talking to María at a clinic.
- JavierEspere, por favor, que el doctor está ocupado.Wait, please, because the doctor is busy.
- MaríaNo hay problema, yo espero aquí.No problem, I'll wait here.
- JavierGracias por su paciencia, María.Thank you for your patience, María.
- MaríaDe nada, Javier.You're welcome, Javier.
