-ar verb A1 · Beginner

Conjugate esperar in Spanish

to wait / to hope / to expect

esperar is a regular -ar verb ranked #37 among the most common Spanish verbs. For example: "Yo espero todos los días." (I wait every day.). Use the tables below for full conjugation across all 7 tenses.

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Describes current actions, habits, and general truths. The most frequently used tense — master it first.

Pronoun Conjugation
yo espero
esperas
él/ella/Ud. espera
nosotros esperamos
vosotros esperáis
ellos/ellas/Uds. esperan
Example

Yo espero todos los días.

I wait every day.

Describes completed past actions with a clear start and end. Key signals: ayer, el lunes pasado, de repente.

Pronoun Conjugation
yo esperé
esperaste
él/ella/Ud. esperó
nosotros esperamos
vosotros esperasteis
ellos/ellas/Uds. esperaron
Example

Nosotros esperamos juntos.

We wait together.

Describes habitual past actions, background context, and ongoing states. Key signals: siempre, normalmente, cuando era niño.

Pronoun Conjugation
yo esperaba
esperabas
él/ella/Ud. esperaba
nosotros esperábamos
vosotros esperabais
ellos/ellas/Uds. esperaban
Example

Antes yo esperaba con frecuencia.

Before, I used to wait / to hope / to expect often.

Describes future events and predictions. In everyday speech, ir a + infinitive is often preferred for planned events.

Pronoun Conjugation
yo esperaré
esperarás
él/ella/Ud. esperará
nosotros esperaremos
vosotros esperaréis
ellos/ellas/Uds. esperarán
Example

Mañana yo esperaré.

Tomorrow I will wait / to hope / to expect.

Expresses what would happen under certain conditions — equivalent to "would" in English. Also used for polite requests.

Pronoun Conjugation
yo esperaría
esperarías
él/ella/Ud. esperaría
nosotros esperaríamos
vosotros esperaríais
ellos/ellas/Uds. esperarían
Example

Si pudiera, yo esperaría.

If I could, I would wait / to hope / to expect.

Used in clauses expressing wishes, doubt, emotion, or uncertainty — typically after que. Triggers: querer, esperar, dudar, ojalá.

Pronoun Conjugation
yo espere
esperes
él/ella/Ud. espere
nosotros esperemos
vosotros esperéis
ellos/ellas/Uds. esperen
Example

Quiero que tú esperes más.

I want you to wait more.

Used to give commands and direct requests. Affirmative and negative forms differ significantly in Spanish.

Pronoun Conjugation
yo -
espera
él/ella/Ud. espere
nosotros esperemos
vosotros esperad
ellos/ellas/Uds. esperen
Example

Él espera con frecuencia.

He waits often.

Test yourself

Type the correct conjugation for each prompt.

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Example sentences

Common phrases with esperar

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