Esperaban (en. Were waiting)
[es.pe.ra.βan]
Meaning & Definition
EnglishSpanish
verb
To anticipate that something will happen or that someone will arrive.
They were waiting for their friend at the station.
Ellos esperaban a su amigo en la estación.
To maintain hope regarding something.
They were expecting a favorable response from the company.
Esperaban una respuesta favorable de la empresa.
To count on the arrival or occurrence of something.
Everyone was waiting for the announcement of the winner.
Todos esperaban el anuncio del ganador.
To suppose or have the expectation that something will occur.
The students were hoping that the class would be canceled.
Los estudiantes esperaban que se cancelara la clase.
Etymology
From Latin 'sperare', which means 'to hope'.
Common Phrases and Expressions
hope for the best
To maintain hope for a positive outcome.
esperar lo mejor
not wait until the last moment
To act in advance instead of leaving everything to the end.
no esperar hasta el último momento
wait for a miracle
To expect something to happen in an unlikely or improbable way.
esperar un milagro
Related Words
waiting
The action of waiting.
espera
hope
Confidence in the future or in a positive outcome.
esperanza
expected
Something that was expected.
esperado
hopeful
One who has hope.
esperanzado
Slang Meanings
Expect nothing.
He no longer expects anything from that relationship.
Él ya no espera nada de esa relación.
To wait in vain.
He was waiting in vain for justice to be served.
Estuvo esperando en vano a que la justicia se hiciera.