What Does Esperar Mean? Wait, Hope, and Expect in Portuguese
One common verb can describe waiting for a person, hoping for an outcome, or expecting a result.
Real Life Portuguese · 8 min read · Updated October 14, 2026
The short answer
Esperar commonly means to wait. Use esperar alguém (wait for someone) or esperar por alguém (wait for someone), depending on the phrase and context. For a place, say Estou esperando o ônibus (I’m waiting for the bus). The object or situation usually makes the waiting meaning clear.
Use esperar for waiting for a person or event
If you are asking someone to wait, use Espere um momento in a more formal tone or Espera um pouquinho in a casual conversation. The imperative form changes with the relationship and regional speech, so choose a polite request when speaking with someone you do not know.
Estou esperando minha amiga na entrada.
I’m waiting for my friend at the entrance.
Vamos esperar o próximo ônibus.
Let’s wait for the next bus.
Pode esperar um minuto, por favor?
Could you wait a minute, please?
Use esperar que to express hope
Esperar can also mean to hope. A common structure is espero que + a sentence: Espero que você esteja bem (I hope you are well). When this structure expresses a wish or hope, Portuguese often uses a subjunctive verb after que. Learn frequent phrases as complete expressions before studying every subjunctive rule.
A simple Espero que sim means “I hope so,” while Espero que não means “I hope not.” The context and clause after esperar distinguish this meaning from physically waiting for someone.
Espero que você aproveite a viagem.
I hope you enjoy the trip.
Espero que esteja tudo bem.
I hope everything is okay.
Vai chover amanhã? Espero que não.
Will it rain tomorrow? I hope not.
Use esperar for an expected result or arrival
Esperar may also mean to expect or anticipate something: Espero uma resposta hoje (I expect an answer today) or A gente espera receber o pacote amanhã (We expect to receive the package tomorrow). A noun or infinitive often follows the verb. The sentence tells you whether the speaker is waiting, hoping, or predicting.
A question like O que você espera? can mean “What are you expecting?” or “What do you hope for?” Add a time, event, or follow-up phrase to make your meaning precise. Context carries a lot of work with this versatile verb.
Estamos esperando uma confirmação do hotel.
We’re expecting confirmation from the hotel.
Eles esperam chegar antes do almoço.
They expect to arrive before lunch.
O que você espera deste curso?
What do you expect from this course?
Use the rest of the sentence to identify the meaning
When you hear esperar, ask what follows: a person or bus often signals waiting; que plus a wish often signals hope; a noun or infinitive may describe an expectation. Then confirm your interpretation with the situation. This approach is more dependable than memorizing a single English translation for every use.
Make three sentences about your day: someone you are waiting for, something you hope will happen, and something you expect. Compare these examples with Real Life Portuguese lessons on future plans and everyday conversation. I Speak Portuguese teachers can help you practice the different meanings in a live exchange.
Espero o ônibus e espero que ele chegue logo.
I’m waiting for the bus, and I hope it arrives soon.
Espero receber uma mensagem esta tarde.
I expect to receive a message this afternoon.
Esperamos que vocês tenham uma ótima viagem.
We hope you have a great trip.
Put it into practice
Esperar can mean wait, hope, or expect. Read the full phrase—especially what comes after the verb—to see which meaning fits.
Quick practice
Which Portuguese example matches “We hope you have a great trip”?
Choose an answer to check yourself.
Keep practicing with the Real Life Portuguese app
Build on this guide with everyday expressions and native Brazilian audio. Choose iPhone, Android, or the web app.