to
vs
wait for

QUICK ANSWER

"To" is a preposition which is often translated as "a", and "wait for" is a transitive verb phrase which is often translated as "esperar". Learn more about the difference between "to" and "wait for" below.

to(

)

A preposition is a word that indicates the relationship between a noun and another word (e.g., He ran through the door.).

preposition

1. (used to indicate direction)

a. a

I'm going to your house.Voy a tu casa.

b. hacia

She walked to the woods.Caminó hacia el bosque.

2. (as far as)

a. hasta

I would run to your house right now just to see you!¡Correría hasta tu casa ahora mismo solo para verte!

3. (in order to)

a. a

I just came to say hello.Solo vine a saludar.

4. (used to indicate belonging)

a. de

All of those books belonged to my grandfather.Todos estos libros eran de mi abuelo.

5. (used to tell the time)

a. menos

It is a quarter to six.Son las seis menos cuarto.

6. (used to indicate proportion or range)

a. por

The birth ratio is 107 boys to 100 girls.La proporción de nacimientos es de 107 niños por 100 niñas.

7. (in comparisons)

a. a

Variable A is greater or equal to variable B.La variable A es mayor o igual a la variable B.

8. (resulting in)

a. para

To my surprise, he did not recognize me.Para mi sorpresa, él no me reconoció.

9. (in toasts)

a. por

Here's to the birthday girl! Cheers!¡Por la cumpleañera! ¡Salud!

10. (used to indicate position)

a. a

Turn to the left to exit.Gira a la izquierda para salir.

11. (infinitive particle)

This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.

no direct translation

I learned to drive when I was 17.Aprendí a manejar a los 17 años.

We need to work faster.Tenemos que trabajar más rápido.

12. (used in place of a verb)

This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.

no direct translation

I didn't want to tell you but I felt I had to.No quería decírtelo pero me vi obligada a hacerlo.

It's my party and I'll cry if I want to.Es mi fiesta y lloraré si quiero.

wait for(

weyt

for

)

A transitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and requires a direct object (e.g., take out the trash.).

transitive verb phrase

1. (to await)

a. esperar

Go get the milk. I'll wait for you here.Anda a comprar la leche. Te espero aquí.

A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).

phrase

2. (imperative)

a. espera

A word or phrase used to refer to the second person informal “tú” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., How are you?).

(informal)

(singular)

Wait for me! I'll be there soon!¡Espérame! ¡Llegaré dentro de poco!