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"Esperar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to wait for", and "guardar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to put away". Learn more about the difference between "esperar" and "guardar" below.
esperar(
ehs
-
peh
-
rahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to await)
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
4. (to stay)
b. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
A ver, espera. No hace falta ser tan severo con ellos.Hold on a minute. There's no need to be so harsh with them.
Esperen un momento. Llamo a alguien que los atienda.Wait a moment. I'll get someone to come and help you.
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Esperemos a leer el informe antes de decidir qué hacer.Let's wait until we read the report before deciding what to do.
Espera a que nos llamen.Wait for them to call us.
esperarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
a. to hold on (emphatic)
Espérate, ¿no se suponía que ibas a estar fuera un par de semanas?Hold on, weren't you supposed to be gone for a couple of weeks?
a. to expect
Se esperan cortes en el suministro de agua esta noche.Disruptions to the water supply are expected tonight.
guardar(
gwahr
-
dahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to place)
2. (to reserve)
b. to keep
Vendré a pagar el cuadro mañana. ¿Puedes guardármelo hasta entonces?I'll be back to pay for the painting tomorrow. Can you keep it for me until then?
c. to hold
¿Me guardas el lugar en la fila? Se me olvidó la leche.Will you hold my place in line? I forgot the milk.
d. to put aside
Dile a tu maestra que nos guarde cinco boletos para la obra navideña.Tell your teacher to put aside five tickets for the Christmas play for us.
b. to hang on to
Roberto todavía guarda un mechón de su primer corte de cabello.Roberto is still hanging on to a lock from his first haircut.
c. to store
Guardo agua y comida extra para el caso de una emergencia.I store extra food and water in case there's an emergency.
4. (computing)
b. to have
Guardo bonitos recuerdos de los veranos en el lago con toda la familia.I have nice memories of summers at the lake with the whole family.
a. to guard
Hay seis policías que guardan la entrada del palacio de justicia.There are six police officers guarding the entrance to the courthouse.
b. to protect
Los muros que guardan esta torre son romanos.The walls that protect this tower are Roman.
7. (to comply)
a. to observe
Mi abuela siempre guardaba el sábado como un día sagrado.My grandmother always kept the Sabbath as a holy day.
guardarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
9. (to place)
10. (to retain)
11. (to assure)
a. to be careful not to
Guárdense de no ir por esas calles de noche.Be careful not to walk down those streets at night.
b. to make sure not to
Guárdate de no olvidar tu chamarra cuando sales en el frío.Make sure you don't forget your jacket when you go out in the cold.
