Aguardar or esperar

Question

When translating the word 'wait' esperar is used. In what circumstance would aguardar be used?

Answer 1

"Esperar" also carries the meaning of "to hope", "aguardar" does not. Consequently there are at least some situations where "aguardar" is not used.

You make a great point, geofc. - francobollo, Nov 13, 2012

Answer 2

aguardar means to put away, or to save Voy a aguardar los platos luego (I will put the plates away later) Aguardo todos los recuerdos de mi mamá. (I save all memories of my mom)

¿Estás segura? ¿No será guardar? - francobollo, Nov 13, 2012

Answer 3

I agree with SandyMx. Aguardar is less used in Latin America and more used in Spain. They both mean to wait. Since I do not use aguardar that often, it gives me the feeling that aguardar is done more patiently than esperar, but that's very subjective.

Here's the entry from Real Academia de la Lengua Española on Aguardar.

You just killed my point about "aguardar" not includiing "to hope". Ouch! RA example definitions include "Creer que llegará o sucederá algo o tener la esperanza de ello." - geofc, Nov 13, 2012

Answer 4

The meaning is the same for both, to wait, to expect or maybe hold on, i think it's just about location. In Spain is more common to use aguardar here in México is esperar. Saludos!

Estoy de acuerdo, amiga. - francobollo, Nov 13, 2012