to wait; to hope; to expect
hablamos regular endingpienso stem changetengo irregularbusqué spelling change
Presente · What happens now or habitually
Espero la guagua todas las mañanas en esta esquina.
I wait for the bus every morning on this corner.
Pretérito · A completed action in the past
Esperamos dos horas en el consultorio.
We waited two hours at the doctor's office.
Imperfecto · Ongoing or habitual past; "used to"
Mis hijos me esperaban en la puerta.
My kids were waiting for me at the door.
Futuro · What will happen
Mi mamá te esperará en el aeropuerto.
My mom will wait for you at the airport.
Condicional · What would happen
Yo esperaría hasta mañana.
I'd wait until tomorrow.
Pretérito perfecto · Has/have done
¿Has esperado mucho tiempo?
Have you been waiting long?
Pluscuamperfecto · Had done
Ella había esperado esa carta durante años.
She had waited for that letter for years.
Futuro perfecto · Will have done
Para las cinco habremos esperado tres horas.
By five we will have waited three hours.
Condicional perfecto · Would have done
Ellos te habrían esperado.
They would have waited for you.
Presente de subjuntivo · Wishes, doubts, emotions about the present or future
Quiero que me esperes aquí.
I want you to wait for me here.
Imperfecto de subjuntivo (-ra) · Hypotheticals and past wishes; the common form
Me pidió que esperara afuera.
He asked me to wait outside.
Imperfecto de subjuntivo (-se) · Same meaning as -ra; more literary
Les dije que esperasen en el carro.
I told them to wait in the car.
Pretérito perfecto de subjuntivo · Subjunctive for something that has happened
Siento que hayas esperado tanto.
I'm sorry you've waited so long.
Pluscuamperfecto de subjuntivo · Contrary-to-fact past: "if I had..."
Si hubiéramos esperado un poco más, lo habríamos visto.
If we had waited a little longer, we would have seen him.
Imperativo afirmativo · Commands: do it!
Espera un momento, ya voy.
Wait a moment, I'm coming.
Imperativo negativo · Commands: don't do it!
No esperes a última hora.
Don't wait until the last minute.