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A2 noun #42 am häufigsten 12 Min. Lesezeit

espera

Top 42

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Erklärung espera in your Level:

At the A1 level, you will encounter the word 'espera' primarily in very common, everyday phrases. The most important one to learn is 'sala de espera', which means 'waiting room'. You will see this in hospitals, clinics, and airports. At this stage, you should understand that 'espera' is a noun (a thing) and it is feminine, so we say 'la espera'. You might also hear the verb form 'espera' (wait!), but as a noun, it's usually about a place or a short period of time. For example, 'La espera es corta' (The wait is short). It is a basic building block for navigating public spaces in a Spanish-speaking country. You don't need to worry about complex grammar yet; just focus on recognizing the word in signs and simple sentences.

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At the A2 level, you begin to use 'espera' in more complete sentences to describe your daily life. You might talk about how long you had to wait for a bus or at the doctor's office. Phrases like 'tiempo de espera' (waiting time) and 'lista de espera' (waiting list) become useful. You can now use adjectives to describe the wait, such as 'una espera larga' (a long wait) or 'una espera aburrida' (a boring wait). You are also learning to use prepositions, so you might say 'después de la espera' (after the wait). This level is about expanding your ability to describe the world around you, and 'espera' is a key word for discussing the inevitable delays and routines of daily life. You should also be able to distinguish between the noun 'la espera' and the verb 'esperar'.

At the B1 level, you start to use 'espera' in more abstract and professional contexts. You will encounter it in business emails, such as 'en espera de su respuesta' (waiting for your response). You can also use it to describe emotional states, like 'una espera impaciente' (an impatient wait). At this level, you should be comfortable using 'espera' in various grammatical structures, including compound nouns and prepositional phrases. You might also learn about the 'dulce espera' (pregnancy) and other cultural nuances. Your vocabulary is growing, and you can now compare 'espera' with similar words like 'retraso' (delay) or 'demora'. You are moving beyond just surviving in a Spanish-speaking environment to being able to express more complex thoughts and feelings about time and anticipation.

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At the B2 level, you have a nuanced understanding of 'espera'. You can use it in formal and informal registers with ease. You understand the subtle differences between 'espera', 'demora', and 'retraso' and can choose the right word for the context. You might use 'espera' in more sophisticated ways, such as describing a 'tensa espera' (tense wait) in a political or social context. You are also familiar with idiomatic expressions and can use 'espera' in complex sentences with multiple clauses. At this level, you can discuss the psychological effects of waiting and how it varies across different cultures. Your ability to use 'espera' correctly in both spoken and written Spanish is a sign of your growing fluency and cultural competence.

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At the C1 level, your use of 'espera' is highly sophisticated. You can appreciate and use the word in literary and academic contexts. You might analyze the 'estética de la espera' (aesthetics of waiting) in a novel or film. You are comfortable with all the technical and bureaucratic uses of the word, including legal terms like 'silencio administrativo' which involves a period of 'espera'. You can use 'espera' to convey subtle shades of meaning, such as the difference between a 'vaga espera' (vague wait) and a 'certera espera' (certain wait). Your vocabulary is rich enough that you can use 'espera' as a powerful rhetorical tool in your writing and speaking. You understand the historical and etymological roots of the word and how they influence its modern usage.

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At the C2 level, you have complete mastery of the word 'espera'. You can use it with the same precision and creativity as a native speaker. You are familiar with obscure idioms and regional variations of the word. You can engage in deep philosophical discussions about the nature of time and 'la espera' as a fundamental human experience. You can write complex essays or give formal presentations where 'espera' is used as a central theme. Your understanding of the word is not just linguistic but also deeply cultural and psychological. You can navigate any situation, from a highly technical legal meeting to a poetic discussion, using 'espera' and its related terms with absolute confidence and accuracy. At this level, the word is just one tool in your extensive linguistic repertoire.

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espera in 30 Sekunden

'Espera' is a feminine noun meaning 'a wait' or 'the act of waiting'.
It is commonly used in compound nouns like 'sala de espera' (waiting room).
It can describe both physical waiting and emotional anticipation.
Do not confuse the noun 'la espera' with the verb 'él espera' (he waits).

The Spanish noun espera is a fundamental term that translates to 'a wait' or 'the act of waiting' in English. While it may seem straightforward, its usage spans a vast array of contexts, from the mundane daily routines to profound life events. At its core, espera refers to the interval of time that passes until something anticipated occurs. This could be the time spent standing in a queue at a grocery store, the period of time a patient spends in a clinic before seeing a doctor, or the agonizing duration before receiving important news. In Spanish culture, the concept of waiting is often viewed through a different lens than in some fast-paced English-speaking cultures. There is a certain linguistic beauty in how the word is used to describe the transition between states of being. For instance, the phrase 'la dulce espera' (the sweet wait) is a common and poetic way to refer to pregnancy, emphasizing the joyful anticipation of a new life. This highlights how espera is not just about the passage of time, but often about the emotional state associated with that time.

Physical Space: The word is frequently paired with 'sala' to form 'sala de espera' (waiting room), a ubiquitous term in hospitals, airports, and offices.

La espera en la oficina de correos fue de casi una hora.

Beyond physical waiting, espera is used in technical and bureaucratic settings. You might hear 'tiempo de espera' when referring to the processing time for a visa or the buffering time for a video online. In customer service, being 'en espera' means being put on hold. The word also carries a psychological weight; 'una espera angustiosa' describes a wait filled with anxiety, such as waiting for medical test results. Linguistically, it is important to distinguish espera from 'esperanza' (hope). While both derive from the Latin 'sperare', 'espera' is the action of waiting, whereas 'esperanza' is the feeling of hope. However, because the verb 'esperar' means both 'to wait' and 'to hope', the noun espera often retains a slight flavor of expectation or anticipation that the English word 'wait' might lack. In literature and film, espera is a powerful motif, representing the human condition of longing. Whether it is the wait for a loved one to return from war or the wait for a change in fortune, the word encapsulates the tension between the present moment and a desired future. Understanding espera is essential for any Spanish learner because it appears in so many fixed expressions and daily interactions. From the 'lista de espera' at a popular restaurant to the 'señal de espera' on a telephone line, it is a word that connects the practicalities of life with the deeper rhythms of human experience.

Temporal Duration: It quantifies the time spent before an event: 'Una espera de diez minutos'.

Después de una larga espera, finalmente anunciaron al ganador.

Bureaucratic Context: Refers to lists or queues for services: 'Estamos en la lista de espera para el trasplante'.

La espera para obtener la cita fue agotadora.

Using the noun espera correctly requires an understanding of its grammatical role as a feminine noun. It is almost always preceded by the definite article 'la' or the indefinite article 'una'. Because it is a noun, it can function as the subject of a sentence, the object of a verb, or part of a prepositional phrase. One of the most common ways to use it is as the subject to describe the quality of a wait. For example, 'La espera fue eterna' (The wait was eternal) or 'La espera mereció la pena' (The wait was worth it). In these instances, the noun is modified by an adjective or a verb that provides context to the experience of waiting. Another frequent use is in the construction 'en espera de', which translates to 'waiting for' or 'pending'. This is particularly common in formal or business Spanish. For instance, 'Estamos en espera de una respuesta' (We are waiting for a response). Note that in English, we use a present participle ('waiting'), but in Spanish, the noun 'espera' is used within a prepositional structure.

Subject of the Sentence: When the wait itself is the focus: 'La espera terminó ayer'.

La espera por los resultados del examen fue muy estresante.

Furthermore, espera is often used in compound nouns. 'Sala de espera' is perhaps the most common. In this case, 'de espera' acts as an adjectival phrase modifying 'sala'. You can also find 'lista de espera' (waiting list) and 'tiempo de espera' (waiting time). When using these, the gender of the compound noun is determined by the first noun ('la sala', 'la lista', 'el tiempo'). In more advanced usage, you might encounter 'espera' in the context of legal or administrative 'silencio administrativo', where the lack of response after a certain 'espera' has legal implications. In literature, you might see 'espera' personified or used metaphorically to represent a state of limbo. For example, 'Vivir en una constante espera' (To live in a constant state of waiting). It is also worth noting that 'espera' can be used in the plural, 'esperas', though this is much less common and usually refers to multiple distinct periods of waiting. When describing the duration of a wait, the preposition 'de' is used: 'una espera de tres horas'. If you want to say 'after a wait', you use 'tras una espera' or 'después de una espera'. These structures are vital for narrating events where timing is key.

Prepositional Phrases: Commonly used with 'en', 'tras', or 'durante': 'Durante la espera, leí un libro'.

Puse la llamada en espera para atender la otra línea.

Descriptive Adjectives: Commonly paired with adjectives like 'larga', 'corta', 'eterna', 'impaciente'.

Fue una espera vana; él nunca llegó.

In the real world, the word espera is woven into the fabric of daily Spanish life. If you are traveling through Spain or Latin America, one of the first places you will encounter it is at the airport or train station. Announcements often mention 'tiempos de espera' for security checks or 'salas de espera' for VIP passengers. In a medical context, the 'sala de espera' is a place of shared silence and anticipation. Doctors' offices and hospitals are perhaps the most common settings for this word. You might hear a nurse say, 'Por favor, tome asiento en la sala de espera' (Please, take a seat in the waiting room). In the business world, 'espera' is frequently heard during phone calls. If a receptionist needs to check something, they will say, 'Un momento, le pongo en espera' (One moment, I'll put you on hold). This use of 'espera' as a state of being on a telecommunications line is universal across the Spanish-speaking world. In the digital age, you might see the word on your computer or smartphone screen. A 'barra de espera' or a 'mensaje de espera' indicates that a process is loading.

Public Services: Used to manage queues and expectations: 'La lista de espera para el colegio es muy larga'.

Hay mucha espera para renovar el pasaporte este mes.

Culturally, the word appears in music and literature. Many boleros and romantic songs talk about 'la espera' of a lover. It is a romanticized concept, where the time spent waiting is a testament to the depth of one's feelings. In news broadcasts, you will hear about 'la tensa espera' before a major event, such as the results of an election or the rescue of someone in danger. This adds a dramatic flair to the reporting, emphasizing the collective anxiety of the public. Even in sports, commentators might talk about 'la espera' of a team to win a championship after many years. In social settings, friends might complain about 'la espera' at a popular bar or club. It is a versatile word that scales from the personal to the national. Understanding where you hear espera helps you grasp the rhythm of life in Spanish-speaking countries, where waiting is often an inevitable, and sometimes even celebrated, part of the day.

Telecommunications: Refers to the 'on hold' status: 'Música de espera'.

Odiaba la música de espera del banco.

Emotional Context: Describes the feeling of anticipation: 'La dulce espera de un hijo'.

La espera se hacía cada vez más difícil de soportar.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make when using espera is confusing it with the verb form 'espera'. In Spanish, 'espera' can be the third-person singular present indicative of the verb 'esperar' (él/ella espera - he/she waits) or the second-person singular imperative (¡espera! - wait!). However, as a noun, it always requires an article or a possessive adjective to function. For example, saying 'Espera fue larga' is incorrect; it must be 'La espera fue larga'. Another common error is the confusion between 'espera' and 'esperanza'. While they are related, 'esperanza' means 'hope' in the abstract sense. If you want to say 'The wait was long', use 'espera'. If you want to say 'Hope is the last thing to die', use 'esperanza'. Because the English verb 'to hope' and 'to wait' are both translated as 'esperar', learners often carry this overlap into the nouns, which is a mistake.

Noun vs. Verb: Confusing 'la espera' (noun) with 'él espera' (verb). Always look for the article.

Incorrect: *Espera es aburrida. Correct: La espera es aburrida.

Gender errors are also common. 'Espera' is a feminine noun, so it must be 'la espera' or 'una espera'. Using 'el espera' is a clear sign of a non-native speaker. Furthermore, the prepositional usage can be tricky. In English, we say 'waiting for', but in Spanish, when using the noun, we say 'en espera de'. Some learners try to translate 'waiting for' literally as 'esperando para', which might work for the verb but sounds unnatural for the noun. For example, 'Estamos en espera de su confirmación' is the correct professional way to say 'We are waiting for your confirmation'. Another subtle mistake is using 'espera' when 'retraso' (delay) or 'demora' (delay) is more appropriate. 'Espera' is neutral; it just means the time spent. 'Retraso' implies that something is late. If your flight is late, you are experiencing a 'retraso', which results in a long 'espera'. Confusing these can lead to misunderstandings about whether you are simply waiting or if there is a problem. Finally, learners sometimes forget that 'sala de espera' is a fixed phrase. They might try to say 'cuarto de esperar' or 'habitación de espera', which are technically understandable but never used by native speakers. Sticking to the established collocations is key to sounding natural.

Gender Agreement: Always use feminine articles and adjectives: 'una larga espera'.

Incorrect: *Un espera largo. Correct: Una espera larga.

Wait vs. Delay: Use 'espera' for the act, 'retraso' for the lateness.

La espera se debió a un retraso del tren.

To truly master the concept of 'waiting' in Spanish, it is helpful to look at words that are similar to espera but carry different nuances. The most direct synonym is 'aguante', though this refers more to the endurance or patience required during a wait rather than the wait itself. For example, 'No tengo aguante para esta espera' (I don't have the patience for this wait). Another related word is 'expectativa' (expectation). While 'espera' is the physical act of waiting, 'expectativa' is the mental state of expecting something to happen. You might be in 'espera' of a package, but you have high 'expectativas' about its contents. In bureaucratic or technical contexts, you might encounter 'demora' or 'retraso'. Both mean 'delay'. 'Demora' is often used in more formal or legal settings, while 'retraso' is common in daily life, such as transport delays. If a wait is caused by something being late, these words are more precise than 'espera'.

Espera vs. Demora: 'Espera' is the time spent; 'Demora' is the time lost due to a delay.

La espera fue de una hora por la demora del vuelo.

Another interesting alternative is 'plantón'. This is a more informal and specific term for when someone makes you wait by not showing up to a date or meeting. 'Me dio un plantón' means 'He/She stood me up'. This is a very specific kind of 'espera' that resulted in being stood up. In the context of pregnancy, as mentioned before, 'la dulce espera' is a beautiful alternative to 'embarazo' (pregnancy), focusing on the emotional aspect. In more literary contexts, 'procrastinación' might be related, though it refers to the act of delaying something oneself rather than waiting for something else. Finally, 'pausa' (pause) or 'intervalo' (interval) can sometimes be used as synonyms for a short 'espera' in a sequence of events. For example, 'Hubo una breve espera entre los dos actos de la obra'. Understanding these distinctions allows you to choose the most precise word for the situation, making your Spanish sound more sophisticated and natural.

Espera vs. Esperanza: 'Espera' is the act (waiting); 'Esperanza' is the feeling (hope).

Durante la espera, nunca perdió la esperanza.

Espera vs. Plantón: 'Espera' is general; 'Plantón' is being stood up.

Su espera terminó en un triste plantón.

How Formal Is It?

Wusstest du?

In Spanish, the same root gives us both 'wait' (espera) and 'hope' (esperanza), which is why the verb 'esperar' covers both meanings.

Aussprachehilfe

UK esˈpeɾa

US esˈpeɾa

The stress is on the second-to-last syllable: es-PE-ra.

Reimt sich auf

era fuera manera carrera bandera madera acera cadera

Häufige Fehler

Pronouncing the 'r' like the English 'r' (curling the tongue).
Aspirating the 'p' (adding a puff of air).
Adding an 'e' sound before the 's' (though 'espera' already starts with 'e', learners sometimes add another).

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 2/5

Easy to recognize in context, especially in signs.

Schreiben 3/5

Requires knowledge of gender and common collocations.

Sprechen 3/5

Must distinguish from the verb form 'espera'.

Hören 3/5

Can be confused with 'espera' (he waits) if not careful.

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

esperar sala tiempo largo corto

Als Nächstes lernen

esperanza retraso demora aguante expectativa

Fortgeschritten

silencio administrativo procrastinación dilación

Wichtige Grammatik

Gender of nouns ending in -a

La espera (feminine).

Noun vs Verb identification

La espera (noun) vs Él espera (verb).

Preposition 'de' for duration

Una espera de diez minutos.

Preposition 'por' for object of wait

La espera por el tren.

Compound noun formation

Sala de espera (Noun + de + Noun).

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Beispiele nach Niveau

La sala de espera es grande.

The waiting room is big.

'Sala de espera' is a compound noun.

La espera es corta.

The wait is short.

'La' is the feminine definite article.

¿Dónde está la sala de espera?

Where is the waiting room?

Question word 'Dónde' with the verb 'está'.

Tengo una espera de cinco minutos.

I have a five-minute wait.

'Una' is the feminine indefinite article.

La espera terminó.

The wait ended.

Preterite tense of 'terminar'.

Es una espera tranquila.

It is a quiet wait.

Adjective 'tranquila' agrees with 'espera'.

No me gusta la espera.

I don't like the wait.

Use of 'gustar' with a noun.

La espera en el banco es larga.

The wait at the bank is long.

Prepositional phrase 'en el banco'.

La espera en el médico fue de una hora.

The wait at the doctor's was one hour.

Use of 'fue' (was) to describe duration.

Estamos en la lista de espera.

We are on the waiting list.

'Lista de espera' is a common phrase.

La espera por el autobús es aburrida.

The wait for the bus is boring.

'Por' indicates the object of the wait.

Fue una espera muy larga para nosotros.

It was a very long wait for us.

'Para nosotros' indicates who experienced the wait.

Durante la espera, hablé con mi madre.

During the wait, I talked to my mother.

'Durante' is a temporal preposition.

La espera valió la pena.

The wait was worth it.

'Valer la pena' is an idiomatic expression.

No soporto la espera en las tiendas.

I can't stand the wait in stores.

'Soportar' means 'to stand' or 'to endure'.

La espera terminó cuando llegó el tren.

The wait ended when the train arrived.

'Cuando' introduces a temporal clause.

Estamos en espera de sus noticias.

We are waiting for your news.

'En espera de' is a formal construction.

La dulce espera de su primer hijo fue grabada.

The sweet wait for their first child was recorded.

'La dulce espera' is a poetic term for pregnancy.

La espera se hizo eterna para los pasajeros.

The wait became eternal for the passengers.

'Hacerse' is used here to mean 'to seem' or 'to become'.

Puse la llamada en espera un momento.

I put the call on hold for a moment.

'En espera' means 'on hold' in telecommunications.

La espera de los resultados fue angustiosa.

The wait for the results was distressing.

'Angustiosa' is a strong descriptive adjective.

Tras una larga espera, el proyecto fue aprobado.

After a long wait, the project was approved.

'Tras' is a more formal synonym for 'después de'.

La espera es parte del proceso creativo.

Waiting is part of the creative process.

'Parte de' indicates membership in a group.

No quiero que la espera sea en vano.

I don't want the wait to be in vain.

Subjunctive 'sea' after 'no quiero que'.

La tensa espera terminó con un aplauso general.

The tense wait ended with general applause.

'Tensa' adds emotional nuance to the noun.

El tiempo de espera estimado es de veinte minutos.

The estimated waiting time is twenty minutes.

'Estimado' is a past participle used as an adjective.

La espera se prolongó más de lo previsto.

The wait lasted longer than expected.

'Más de lo previsto' is a common B2 phrase.

Vivir en una constante espera puede ser agotador.

Living in a constant state of waiting can be exhausting.

'Constante' modifies the nature of the wait.

La espera de una respuesta oficial nos tiene en vilo.

The wait for an official response has us on edge.

'En vilo' is an idiom meaning 'on edge' or 'in suspense'.

A pesar de la espera, mantuvimos la calma.

Despite the wait, we stayed calm.

'A pesar de' is a concessive connector.

La espera por la justicia ha sido demasiado larga.

The wait for justice has been too long.

'Por' indicates the purpose or object of the wait.

La espera de los refugiados en la frontera es crítica.

The wait of the refugees at the border is critical.

Genitive 'de' indicates who is waiting.

La espera se convirtió en un rito de pasaje.

The wait became a rite of passage.

'Convertirse en' indicates a transformation.

En la obra de Kafka, la espera es un tema recurrente.

In Kafka's work, waiting is a recurring theme.

Literary analysis context.

La espera de la sentencia fue un calvario para él.

Waiting for the sentence was an ordeal for him.

'Calvario' is a strong metaphor for suffering.

La espera de lo inevitable produce una extraña paz.

Waiting for the inevitable produces a strange peace.

Abstract philosophical subject.

La espera de una señal divina marcó su vida.

Waiting for a divine sign marked his life.

Religious/spiritual context.

La espera se dilató debido a la burocracia estatal.

The wait was prolonged due to state bureaucracy.

'Dilatarse' is a formal verb for 'to expand' or 'to prolong'.

La espera de un cambio social requiere paciencia histórica.

Waiting for social change requires historical patience.

Academic/sociological context.

La espera de la musa es el tormento del escritor.

Waiting for the muse is the writer's torment.

Metaphorical use in the arts.

La espera ontológica define la existencia del protagonista.

The ontological wait defines the protagonist's existence.

High-level academic vocabulary.

La espera se erige como un muro entre el deseo y la realidad.

Waiting stands as a wall between desire and reality.

Metaphorical and elevated language.

La espera de la resolución judicial se vio empañada por vicios procesales.

The wait for the judicial resolution was marred by procedural flaws.

Technical legal terminology.

La espera de la muerte es, en última instancia, la espera de la vida.

The wait for death is, ultimately, the wait for life.

Paradoxical philosophical statement.

La espera de la redención es el motor de la narrativa clásica.

The wait for redemption is the engine of classical narrative.

Literary criticism context.

La espera se fragmenta en mil instantes de duda.

The wait fragments into a thousand moments of doubt.

Poetic and abstract imagery.

La espera de la verdad absoluta es una quimera intelectual.

Waiting for the absolute truth is an intellectual chimera.

Philosophical skepticism.

La espera de la primavera es el suspiro de la tierra helada.

Waiting for spring is the sigh of the frozen earth.

Personification and poetic prose.

Häufige Kollokationen

sala de espera

lista de espera

tiempo de espera

larga espera

en espera

dulce espera

tensa espera

espera vana

música de espera

estado de espera

Häufige Phrasen

poner en espera

— To put someone on hold during a phone call.

Le voy a poner en espera un momento.

estar a la espera

— To be waiting for something to happen or be announced.

Estamos a la espera de los resultados.

valer la pena la espera

— To be worth the time spent waiting.

La comida fue excelente; valió la pena la espera.

hacerse eterna la espera

— When a wait feels like it is taking forever.

Se me hizo eterna la espera en la estación.

acabar con la espera

— To finally end a period of waiting.

El gol acabó con la espera de los aficionados.

en espera de

— Pending or waiting for a specific event.

En espera de su pronta respuesta, le saludo atentamente.

sin más espera

— Without any further delay or waiting.

Comenzamos la reunión sin más espera.

una espera angustiosa

— A wait that causes a lot of anxiety or stress.

Fue una espera angustiosa hasta que llamó el médico.

abrir una espera

— To create a period of waiting (less common).

El juez abrió una espera para deliberar.

tras la espera

— After the period of waiting has concluded.

Tras la espera, por fin pudimos entrar.

Wird oft verwechselt mit

espera vs esperanza

Esperanza is 'hope' (abstract), espera is 'wait' (action/time).

espera vs retraso

Retraso is a 'delay' (something is late), espera is the 'wait' caused by it.

espera vs espera (verb)

The verb form 'he waits' or 'wait!' is identical in spelling but different in function.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"la dulce espera"

— A poetic and common way to refer to pregnancy.

Disfruta de tu dulce espera.

informal/poetic

"poner en espera"

— To delay a project or decision.

Hemos puesto el proyecto en espera por ahora.

business

"en espera de"

— A standard formal closing in letters.

En espera de sus noticias...

formal

"hacer la espera"

— To wait for someone (regional variation).

Te hago la espera en la puerta.

informal

"espera de perro"

— A very long and loyal wait (regional/slang).

Llevo aquí una espera de perro.

slang

"matar la espera"

— To do something to pass the time while waiting.

Leí un libro para matar la espera.

informal

"espera sentada"

— Used sarcastically to say something will never happen.

¿Quieres que te pida perdón? Espera sentada.

informal

"en vilo de espera"

— To be in a state of high suspense.

Todo el país está en vilo de espera.

journalistic

"la espera del alba"

— Waiting for a new beginning (poetic).

Es la espera del alba tras la noche.

literary

"sin espera"

— Immediately.

Lo hizo sin espera alguna.

formal

Leicht verwechselbar

espera vs esperanza

Both come from 'esperar'.

'Espera' is the act of waiting; 'esperanza' is the feeling of hope.

Tengo la esperanza de que la espera sea corta.

espera vs demora

Both involve time passing.

'Demora' is a delay (negative); 'espera' is just the time spent (neutral).

La demora del bus causó una espera de media hora.

espera vs retraso

Both involve waiting.

'Retraso' means something is late; 'espera' is what you do because of it.

Debido al retraso, la espera fue aburrida.

espera vs plantón

Both involve waiting for someone.

'Plantón' is specifically being stood up; 'espera' is general.

Mi espera terminó en un plantón.

espera vs pausa

Both are interruptions.

'Pausa' is a deliberate break; 'espera' is usually dependent on something else.

Hicimos una pausa en la espera para comer.

Satzmuster

La espera es [adjective].

La espera es larga.

La espera en [place] fue de [time].

La espera en el banco fue de una hora.

Estamos en espera de [noun].

Estamos en espera de noticias.

Poner a alguien en espera.

Le pongo en espera.

Tras una [adjective] espera, [event].

Tras una larga espera, el tren llegó.

Valer la pena la espera.

La película valió la pena la espera.

La espera de [abstract noun].

La espera de la justicia.

La espera como [metaphor].

La espera como un abismo.

Wortfamilie

Substantive

espera

esperanza

esperanzado

Verben

esperar

Adjektive

esperado

inesperado

esperanzador

Verwandt

desesperar

desesperación

esperanzar

desesperado

esperable

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So verwendest du es

frequency

Very high in daily life and bureaucracy.

Häufige Fehler

El espera fue largo. → La espera fue larga.
'Espera' is a feminine noun.
Estoy en esperanza de noticias. → Estoy en espera de noticias.
'Esperanza' means hope; 'espera' means waiting.
Sala de esperar. → Sala de espera.
Use the noun 'espera' in this compound phrase.
Espera es aburrida. → La espera es aburrida.
Nouns in Spanish usually require an article when they are the subject.
Un tiempo de esperar. → Un tiempo de espera.
Use the noun form in compound expressions.

Tipps

Check the Article

Always look for 'la' or 'una' to confirm 'espera' is a noun.

Learn Fixed Phrases

Focus on 'sala de espera' and 'lista de espera' first.

The Sweet Wait

Use 'la dulce espera' to sound more native when talking about pregnancy.

Formal Closings

Use 'En espera de su respuesta' in professional emails.

On Hold

Remember 'en espera' for phone calls and 'música de espera'.

Soft R

The 'r' in 'espera' is a single tap, not a trill or an English 'r'.

Pear Mnemonic

Imagine waiting for a pear (pera) to ripen: ES-PERA.

Adjective Agreement

Ensure adjectives are feminine: 'espera larga', not 'largo'.

Context Clues

If you hear 'en la...', it's definitely the noun 'espera'.

Avoid Aspiration

Keep the 'p' sound clean and short, without a puff of air.

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Think of 'ES-PERA'. 'ES' (It is) 'PERA' (a pear). Imagine waiting for a pear to ripen. The 'espera' for the pear.

Visuelle Assoziation

Visualize a large clock in a 'sala de espera' (waiting room) where the hands are moving very slowly.

Word Web

sala lista tiempo larga corta dulce tensa en

Herausforderung

Try to use 'espera' in three different contexts today: a physical place, a phone call, and a period of time.

Wortherkunft

From the Latin verb 'sperare', which means 'to hope' or 'to look forward to'.

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: The act of hoping or looking forward to something.

Romance (Latin root).

Kultureller Kontext

No specific sensitivities, but be mindful of the emotional weight of 'espera' in medical or legal contexts.

In English, 'wait' is often seen as a negative waste of time. In Spanish, 'espera' can carry a more poetic or hopeful connotation.

'La espera' is a famous short story by Jorge Luis Borges. 'La dulce espera' is a common title for pregnancy blogs and magazines.

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Medical

sala de espera
espera de resultados
tiempo de espera

Travel

sala de espera VIP
espera por el retraso
tiempo de espera en seguridad

Business

en espera de su respuesta
poner en espera
lista de espera

Personal

la dulce espera
una espera eterna
valer la pena la espera

Technology

música de espera
barra de espera
estado de espera

Gesprächseinstiege

"¿Cómo llevas la espera de los resultados?"

"¿Hay mucha lista de espera para ese restaurante?"

"¿Qué haces para matar la espera en el aeropuerto?"

"¿Crees que la espera siempre vale la pena?"

"¿Te gusta la música de espera de las empresas?"

Tagebuch-Impulse

Describe la espera más larga de tu vida.

¿Qué sientes durante la 'dulce espera' de un evento importante?

Escribe sobre un lugar que tenga una sala de espera interesante.

¿Cómo ha cambiado la tecnología nuestra percepción de la espera?

¿Es la espera una pérdida de tiempo o una oportunidad?

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

Puede ser ambos. Como sustantivo (noun), significa 'a wait' (la espera). Como verbo, es la forma de 'él/ella espera' (he/she waits) o el imperativo '¡espera!' (wait!). El contexto y el artículo 'la' te ayudarán a distinguirlos.

Se dice 'sala de espera'. Es una frase fija muy común en hospitales y oficinas.

'Espera' es el acto físico o temporal de esperar (the wait). 'Esperanza' es el sentimiento emocional de tener fe en algo (hope).

Se usa para decir 'on hold'. Por ejemplo: 'Le pongo en espera' (I'm putting you on hold).

Es una expresión poética para referirse al embarazo (pregnancy).

Es femenino: la espera, una espera.

Se dice 'lista de espera'.

No, lo correcto es 'tiempo de espera', usando el sustantivo.

Se dice 'valió la pena la espera'.

Generalmente 'de' para el objeto (la espera de los resultados) o 'por' (la espera por el tren).

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