What does it mean word for word?
The phrase tienes que esperar is composed of tienes (you have), que (that/to) and esperar (to wait).
Which one should you use?
While tienes que esperar expresses necessity, the alternative debes esperar (you should/must wait) carries a slightly more formal or moral tone of obligation. If you want to express that "one has to wait" or "it is necessary to wait" without addressing a specific person, use hay que esperar.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
To be polite when speaking to a stranger, an elder or in a professional setting, use the formal tiene que esperar or necesita esperar.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In certain parts of Latin America, the informal expression toca esperar is commonly used. In countries such as Argentina, Uruguay or Colombia, tienes que aguardar is also used to convey the same meaning.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb esperar remains in the infinitive form because it follows the periphrasis tener que.
Did you know?
- The verb esperar carries a double meaning of both 'to wait' and 'to hope'. Depending on the context, telling someone tienes que esperar could mean they must delay an action or that they must maintain hope.
- The verb esperar is a direct descendant of the Latin 'spero', which shares the same root as the English word 'aspire'. Both words trace back to the idea of looking toward or longing for something.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, telling someone tienes que esperar in a professional setting may be seen as too blunt. To be softer, people often use the conditional tendrías que esperar, meaning 'you would have to wait'.
Examples in context
- Tienes que esperar a que se ponga verde.You have to wait for it to turn green.This sentence is useful for describing the necessity of waiting for a signal, using the form tienes que esperar.Tatoeba #9189006 by arh, translation #12885103 by Josephlingo
- Necesita esperar su turno.You need to wait for your turn.
- Hay que esperar hasta que abran la puerta.We have to wait until they open the door.
- Tienes que esperar un poco más.You have to wait a little longer.
- Si quieres entrar, tienes que esperar fuera.If you want to enter, you have to wait outside.
Example conversation
Mateo and Elena are at a busy doctor's office.
- MateoNo veo al doctor todavía.I don't see the doctor yet.
- ElenaTienes que esperar en la sala.You have to wait in the waiting room.
- Mateo¿Cuánto tiempo falta?How much time is left?
- ElenaSolo unos pocos minutos, Mateo.Just a few minutes, Mateo.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries esperar, que, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
