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"Que" is a form of "que", a conjunction which is often translated as "that". "Esperar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to wait for". Learn more about the difference between "esperar" and "que" below.
esperar(
ehs
-
peh
-
rahr
)
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
transitive verb
a. to wait for
Espérame que yo también voy.Wait for me, I'm coming too.
a. to hope
Espero saber de ti pronto.I hope to hear from you soon.
a. to expect
No espero compasión si me capturan.I don't expect any mercy if captured.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
intransitive verb
a. to wait
Espera que ya vengo.Wait, I'm coming.
b.
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
no direct 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.
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
no direct 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.).
pronominal verb
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.
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que(
keh
)
A conjunction is a word that connects words, phrases, clauses, or sentences (e.g., The cat and the dog slept.).
conjunction
a. that
Tenga en cuenta que algunas de estas características son diferentes.Note that some of these characteristics are different.
a. than
Es más barato comprar el libro en la librería que comprarlo online.It's cheaper to buy the book in the bookshop than to buy it online.
Mi hermano es más alto que yo.My brother is taller than me.
b. to
Prefiero las tiendas pequeñas que los grandes supermercados.I prefer small stores to big supermarkets.
A pronoun is a word that stands in for a noun (e.g., she).
pronoun
a. who (person)
El hombre que le salvó la vida a mi bebé está aquí.The man who saved my baby's life is here.
b. which (thing)
El libro que más ha influido en mí es este.The book which has had the greatest influence on me is this one.
c. that (thing)
El pastel que me encanta es el de chocolate.The cake that I love is chocolate cake.
a. who (person)
Vi a la mujer que trabaja en el spa.I saw the woman who works in the spa.
b. that (thing)
¡Enséñame el vestido que llevaste en la fiesta!Show me the dress that you wore to the party!
Ese es el teléfono que yo quiero.That's the phone that I want.
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