espérer
Stem-spelling (é -> è) Level A2 ⭐ #40 Most CommonEnglish translation: to hope / to anticipate
Present (Présent)
Hoping now.
| Subject Pronoun | Conjugation | Audio |
|---|---|---|
| j' | espère | |
| tu | espères | |
| il/elle/on | espère | |
| nous | espérons | |
| vous | espérez | |
| ils/elles | espèrent |
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Frequently Asked Questions: ESPÉRER
Is "espérer" a regular or irregular verb in French? ▾
"espérer" is classified as a Stem-spelling (é -> è) verb in French. Its characteristic conjugation pattern is "j'espère, tu espères, il espère, nous espérons, vous espérez, ils espèrent". Acute accent (é) becomes grave (è) in mute-e syllables: j'espère, ils espèrent. Returns to é before pronounced endings: nous espérons. In affirmative clauses, 'espérer que' takes the INDICATIVE (future), NEVER the subjunctive!
What does "espérer" mean in English? ▾
In English, "espérer" translates primarily to "to hope / to anticipate". In natural speech, it is commonly used across CEFR level A2 contexts for everyday communication.
What is the most frequent mistake learners make with "espérer"? ▾
A frequent error is saying "J'espère qu'il vienne demain" instead of "J'espère qu'il viendra demain". Why? Espérer takes the indicative future (viendra), NOT the subjunctive (vienne) in affirmative statements!
What are common idioms or expressions with "espérer"? ▾
A popular idiom is "Espérer contre toute espérance" which means "To hope against all hope" (e.g. "Même face aux obstacles, elle continue d'espérer contre toute espérance.").
How can I practice and memorize "espérer" conjugations? ▾
Use Verbpedia's built-in interactive flashcards, pronounce each form using native Web Speech audio, and complete the instant mini-quiz below. You can also print a distraction-free A4 cheat sheet using the Print button above.
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Quick Practice: Fill in the Blanks
Test your understanding of 'espérer' across tenses
Which mood follows affirmative 'J'espère que' in French?
Other Important French Verbs to Study
to be
to have / to be (age)
to do / to make
to go
to be able to / can
to want
to take / have (food/drink)
to see / watch
to come
to speak / talk
must / to have to / owe
to know (facts / how to do)
to believe, think
to live, exist
to put / to place / to set
to leave / to depart
to drink
to understand / to comprehend / to include
to be necessary / must / to need
to hold / to keep / to take place
to read / to interpret
to write / to compose
to open / to unlock
to wait / to wait for
to choose / to select
to return (give back) / to make (render)
to leave (behind) / to let (allow)
to die
to be born
to serve / to be useful
to run
to laugh
to please / to appeal to
to sleep
to fear / to dread
to receive / to welcome
to drive / to lead
to learn / to teach / to hear news
to share / to divide
to recognize / to admit