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"Japonés" is a noun which is often translated as "Japanese", and "esperar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to wait for". Learn more about the difference between "japonés" and "esperar" below.
el japonés(
hah
-
poh
-
nehs
)A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
1. (language)
a. Japanese
Mi hermano está estudiando japonés porque su empresa lo va a trasladar a Tokio.My brother is studying Japanese because his company is transferring him to Tokio.
This means that the noun can be masculine or feminine, depending on the gender of the noun it refers to (e.g., el doctor, la doctora).
a. Japanese man (masculine)
Hice amistad con un japonés durante mis vacaciones en Sevilla.I made friends with a Japanese man during my vacation in Seville.
b. Japanese woman (feminine)
Conocí a varias japonesas en las clases de español.I met several Japanese women in Spanish class.
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.
