Spanish word

esperanza

Pronunciation

IPA/espeˈɾanθa/

Meaning

  • feminine nounhope

Example

No pierdas la esperanza.

Don't lose hope.

Illustration for esperanza (hope)

More examples

Tengo esperanza de que todo salga bien.

I have hope that everything will turn out well.

Core concept

A feeling of trust that a desired outcome will occur.

Common phrases

  • perder la esperanza

    lose hope

  • tener esperanza

    have hope

  • mantener la esperanza

    hold on to hope

Similar words

ilusión: A bright, excited longing for a fanciful possibility that may not materialize.
fe: Conviction in a higher power or principle that produces deep, abiding trust.
confianza: Reliance based on confidence that a person or thing behaves dependably.
expectativa: Expectation that a particular outcome is likely, based on current signs or plans.

Definition in Spanish

Sentimiento de confianza en que algo bueno ocurrirá o en que se logrará un resultado deseado.

Word origin

The noun comes from Latin sperantia, formed from the verb sperare 'to hope', and developed into Old Spanish esperanza.

Usage tips

  • The noun normally appears with tener or perder (tener la esperanza de, perder la esperanza), and when saying 'to hope that...' Spanish usually uses esperar que followed by the subjunctive.

Other meanings

  • expectationnoun

Opposites

Related words

  • esperanzadorencouragingadjective
  • esperanzosohopefuladjective

Word lists with this word