Meaning and behavior
What does esperar mean?
Esperar means to hope. VerbyGo classifies it as a regular -AR verb. It is non-reflexive.
to expect; to wait, wait (for).
Build from reliable parts
Principal forms
- Infinitive
- esperar
- Gerund
- esperando
- Past participle
- esperado
Regular -AR pattern
How this verb behaves
Esperar follows the regular -ar pattern in the four tenses shown here.
Conjugation guide
Present forms
Present forms
Present
Use the present forms of esperar for current situations, routines and actions that happen regularly.
| Subject | Esperar |
|---|---|
| yo | espero |
| tú | esperas |
| él / ella / usted | espera |
| nosotros / nosotras | esperamos |
| vosotros / vosotras | esperáis |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | esperan |
Conjugation guide
Past forms
Past forms
Preterite
Use the preterite when the action of esperar is presented as completed in the past.
| Subject | Esperar |
|---|---|
| yo | esperé |
| tú | esperaste |
| él / ella / usted | esperó |
| nosotros / nosotras | esperamos |
| vosotros / vosotras | esperasteis |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | esperaron |
Past forms
Imperfect past
Use the imperfect for repeated or ongoing past uses of esperar, or for background information.
| Subject | Esperar |
|---|---|
| yo | esperaba |
| tú | esperabas |
| él / ella / usted | esperaba |
| nosotros / nosotras | esperábamos |
| vosotros / vosotras | esperabais |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | esperaban |
Conjugation guide
Future and conditional
Future and conditional
Simple future
Use the future forms of esperar for predictions, promises and future statements.
| Subject | Esperar |
|---|---|
| yo | esperaré |
| tú | esperarás |
| él / ella / usted | esperará |
| nosotros / nosotras | esperaremos |
| vosotros / vosotras | esperaréis |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | esperarán |
Conjugation guide
Subjunctive forms
Subjunctive forms
Present subjunctive
Use these forms when a current wish, reaction, doubt or another trigger requires the subjunctive.
| Subject | Esperar |
|---|---|
| yo | espere |
| tú | esperes |
| él / ella / usted | espere |
| nosotros / nosotras | esperemos |
| vosotros / vosotras | esperéis |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | esperen |
Conjugation guide
Commands
Commands
Affirmative commands
Choose the affirmative command of esperar that matches the person being addressed.
| Subject | Esperar |
|---|---|
| tú | espera |
| usted | espere |
| nosotros / nosotras | esperemos |
| vosotros / vosotras | esperad |
| ustedes | esperen |
Commands
Negative commands
Use no with the matching command form of esperar.
| Subject | Esperar |
|---|---|
| tú | no esperes |
| usted | no espere |
| nosotros / nosotras | no esperemos |
| vosotros / vosotras | no esperéis |
| ustedes | no esperen |
Verified context
Examples with esperar
Esperaré un día o dos.
I'll wait a day or two.
Tatoeba example · CC BY 2.0 FRYo no espero por nadie.
I don't wait for anybody.
Tatoeba example · CC BY 2.0 FRNo sé lo que me espera.
I don't know what awaits me.
Tatoeba example · CC BY 2.0 FR
Quick answers
Esperar FAQ
What does esperar mean?
Esperar means to hope.
Is esperar regular or irregular?
Esperar is a regular -AR verb.
What is the gerund of esperar?
The gerund of esperar is esperando.
What is the past participle of esperar?
The past participle of esperar is esperado.
How is esperar conjugated in the present?
The verified public subject set is espero, esperas, espera, esperamos, esperan.
How is esperar conjugated in the preterite?
The verified public subject set is esperé, esperaste, esperó, esperamos, esperaron.
Created by Alejandro Ruiz, an experienced Spanish tutor.