"Expect" is to anticipate something mentally; "wait" is to remain somewhere until something happens.
Verb. To believe or predict that something will happen. It is a mental process, not physical. Does not imply staying in a place. Synonyms: anticipate, suppose, believe.
I expect the meeting will finish by three o'clock.
Espero (=preveo) que la reunion termine para las tres.
She expected him to call, but he never did.
Ella esperaba que el llamara, pero nunca lo hizo.
Do not expect me to agree with everything you say.
No esperes que este de acuerdo con todo lo que dices.
Verb. To remain in a place or state until something happens or someone arrives. It is a physical or passive action in time. Synonyms: stay, remain, hold on.
She waited for two hours at the airport before his flight landed.
Ella espero dos horas en el aeropuerto antes de que aterrizara su vuelo.
Wait here. I will be right back.
Espera aqui. Vuelvo enseguida.
How long have you been waiting?
¿Cuanto tiempo llevas esperando?
Common mistake
The issue comes from Spanish "esperar" covering both: "espero que vengas" (expect) and "te espero aqui" (wait). In English they are different verbs. "I am waiting you here." Wrong — "wait" needs "for": wait for someone. Correct: "I am waiting for you here." And "I wait the bus to arrive." Wrong — use "expect" for anticipation or "wait for" for the physical act.
Trick to remember it
Expect = your mind anticipates something. Wait = your body (or your time) remains in a place. Another clue: expect is followed by "that" or subject + infinitive: "I expect it to rain" / "I expect that it will rain." Wait is followed by "for" + noun or person: "wait for the bus," "wait for you." If you can say "I remain here until..." = wait. If you can say "I predict/believe that..." = expect.
Quick rule
Expect = to anticipate mentally. Wait (for) = to remain somewhere physically.
Did you know?
"Hope" is a third verb that also translates "esperar" in Spanish: "I hope it does not rain" (deseo que no pase). The difference: hope is a wish, expect is a prediction, wait is a physical action. "I hope she calls" (I wish she would). "I expect she will call" (I predict she will). "I am waiting for her call" (I am there awaiting the call). Three distinct shades for a single Spanish verb.
Exercise 1 · Pick the right one
Please _____ for me outside. I will be done in five minutes.
Exercise 2 · Pick the right one
I _____ the project to be finished by next week if everything goes as planned.
Exercise 3 · Form the word
Expect = to anticipate mentally. Wait (for) = to remain somewhere physically.
The issue comes from Spanish "esperar" covering both: "espero que vengas" (expect) and "te espero aqui" (wait). In English they are different verbs. "I am waiting you here." Wrong — "wait" needs "for": wait for someone. Correct: "I am waiting for you here." And "I wait the bus to arrive." Wrong — use "expect" for anticipation or "wait for" for the physical act.
Expect = your mind anticipates something. Wait = your body (or your time) remains in a place. Another clue: expect is followed by "that" or subject + infinitive: "I expect it to rain" / "I expect that it will rain." Wait is followed by "for" + noun or person: "wait for the bus," "wait for you." If you can say "I remain here until..." = wait. If you can say "I predict/believe that..." = expect.
Bryan López
Founder of SpeakUP Academy