Esperar... How to distinguish multiple meanings.

Question

It seems to me that 'esperar', an important word, is used to convey the ideas of 'hoping for', 'waiting for', and 'expecting'. However, I'm not clear how to use it in ways that distinguish which sentiment I mean.

I recently visited a Spanish restaurant where I told the maître d' that I wished a table but wasn't ready yet as I was waiting on my wife. I said 'estoy esperando a mi mujer, pero no sé cuanto tiempo'. He seemed to identify with the sentiment because he just looked at me sympathetically, smiling, and said, 'mujeres'.

However, what if I'd wanted to say 'I hope she comes soon' ? Would that be 'espero que viene temprano' ? And how would I say 'I expect she'll come soon', using 'esperar' ?

It would make perfect sense if he were talking about my wife. ;-) - Winkfish, Jan 7, 2015

Answer 1

If you want to express 'expect' rather than 'hope' using 'esperar' you can use the future tense indicative mood. For example:

Espero que venga pronto. - I hope that she comes soon.

Espero que vendrá pronto - I expect that she will come soon.

Yes, neat Billy, I didn't think of that, too obsessed with the subjunctive! - annierats, Jan 7, 2015

shhhhhhhh but It's all smoke and mirrors Annie, I have my trusty Spanish grammar book in front of me ;-) - billygoat, Jan 7, 2015

I still stumble around in a fog, Billy. - annierats, Jan 7, 2015

you need to move Annie, that's the mist coming off the Moors ;-) - billygoat, Jan 7, 2015

Gracias. I got taught the same kind of trick in French at school for avoiding the subjunctive: put the subordinate in the future. - Faldaesque, Jan 7, 2015

you are welcome mate - billygoat, Jan 7, 2015

Answer 2

¡ Ojalá que venga en seguida! A great solution, avoids 'esperar 'totally whilst maintaining hope that she'll be here very, very soon.

Answer 3

Espero que venga muy pronto. - I hope she will come soon.

I don't think ' expect' can be expressed with ' esperar'. I think you have to use some other expression, for example:

No cabe duda de que llegue en cinco minutos ( this will also get the reply ' mujeres' I fear).- Undoubtedly she'll be here in five minutes.

Yes, the subjunctive. I'm afraid it was too much for me to worry about vocab to deal with the subjunctive as well :-( - Faldaesque, Jan 7, 2015

Well, I'm not totally sure ' no cabe duda' is folowed by the subjunctive, but I think so. - annierats, Jan 7, 2015

Does esperar + present tense (non-subjunctive) = expect because it's more certain ? - Faldaesque, Jan 7, 2015

Espero que has to be followed by the subjunctive. I think that is a rule. In the present tense. - annierats, Jan 7, 2015

If there is a change of subject, I should add. - annierats, Jan 8, 2015