esperar vs aguardar
Portuguese word comparison
Listen to esperar
Listen to aguardar
| esperar | aguardar |
|---|---|
/es-pe-RAR/ verb | /ah-gwar-DAR (IPA: /aɡwaɾˈdaɾ/)/ verb |
| to wait; to hope; to expect | to wait (to remain until something happens) |
How they differ
Aguardar is focused on the act of waiting and is more formal; it usually replaces esperar only in the 'to wait' sense and does not carry the 'to hope' or 'to expect with desire' meanings that esperar can have.
When to use each
When to use esperar: Prefer esperar when speaking casually or when you mean either 'to wait' or 'to hope/expect' in everyday contexts.
When to use aguardar: Prefer aguardar in formal announcements, signs, written instructions, or polite speech when you mean 'to wait'.
Side-by-side examples
- Vou esperar você na entrada.
(I'll wait for you at the entrance.) - Vou aguardar você na entrada.
(I'll wait for you at the entrance.)
Register & nuance: Aguardar is slightly more formal and common in written or official contexts, while esperar is neutral and used in everyday speech.