The Imperfect Tense of Esperar is used to describe ongoing or repeated actions in the past, for example, Esperaba el autobús todas las mañanas. (I used to wait for the bus every morning.)

Esperar is a regular -ar verb, so its conjugations in the Imperfect Tense follow the typical pattern for this verb type.

Conjugations

Conjugations of Esperar (to wait, hope) in the Imperfect Tense tense (Castilian Spanish):

The imperfect tense of esperar is used to describe ongoing or repeated actions in the past, as well as descriptions and states of being.

Waiting or expecting: For example, Esperaba el autobús todas las mañanas. (I used to wait for the bus every morning.) This is the most common meaning, referring to the act of waiting or expecting something.

Hoping: For example, Esperaba que me llamaras. (I was hoping you would call me.) This usage expresses a desire or hope for something to happen.

Delaying or postponing: For example, Esperaba hasta el último momento para hacer la tarea. (I used to wait until the last minute to do my homework.) This meaning conveys the idea of putting something off or delaying an action.

Anticipating or expecting: For example, No esperaba que fuera tan difícil. (I didn’t expect it to be so difficult.) This usage refers to having certain expectations or anticipating something.

Colloquial usage: In some contexts, esperar can be used in a rude or impatient way, such as ¡Espera tu turno! (Wait your turn!) or ¡Esperaba más de ti! (I expected more from you!)

Examples

Examples of Esperar in the Imperfect Tense

Yo esperaba con ansias las vacaciones de verano. (I was eagerly awaiting the summer vacation.)

Ellos esperaban que llegara el fin de semana para ir de camping. (They were hoping the weekend would come so they could go camping.)

Nosotros esperábamos el autobús por más de una hora. (We were waiting for the bus for over an hour.)

Tú esperabas con ilusión tu cumpleaños para recibir regalos. (You were excitedly awaiting your birthday to receive gifts.)

Vosotros esperabais que el equipo ganara el partido. (You all were hoping the team would win the match.)

Ella esperaba con paciencia su turno en la fila. (She was patiently waiting her turn in line.)

Ustedes esperaban que la película fuera buena. (You were hoping the movie would be good.)

Yo esperaba con nervios los resultados del examen. (I was nervously awaiting the exam results.)

Ellas esperaban con emoción la llegada de su bebé. (They were excitedly awaiting the arrival of their baby.)

Tú esperabas que tu amigo te llamara. (You were hoping your friend would call you.)

Vosotros esperabais con impaciencia el final del día laboral. (You all were impatiently awaiting the end of the workday.)

Él esperaba con calma su turno para ser atendido. (He was calmly waiting his turn to be served.)

Nosotros esperábamos que el tráfico mejorara. (We were hoping the traffic would improve.)

Ustedes esperaban con entusiasmo las vacaciones familiares. (You were eagerly awaiting the family vacation.)

Ellos esperaban con ansia el estreno de la nueva película. (They were eagerly awaiting the premiere of the new movie.)

Conjugations with English Translations

Conjugations of Esperar (to wait, hope) in the Imperfect Tense tense (Castilian Spanish) with English Translations:

This post covers Castilian Spanish. For Latin American Spanish, click here

Synonyms

The Imperfect tense is also known as the Past Imperfect, Descriptive Past, Past Progressive, or Imperfect Indicative in English, and as Pretérito Imperfecto, Copretérito, Imperfecto de Indicativo, or Pasado Descriptivo in Spanish.