Italian Phrase
Aspetta che la gente esca.
Meaning
‘Wait until the people go out.’ The speaker is asking someone to hold off until the crowd has left, often to avoid crowding or to start an activity once the area is clear.
When to use
Use this phrase when you need to pause an action because a group of people is about to leave a place – for example, before opening a door, starting a presentation, or stepping onto a street.
✦Grammar Breakdown
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Imperative (Aspetta)
‘Aspetta’ is the second‑person singular imperative of ‘aspettare’ (to wait), used to give a direct command.
Conjunction ‘che’ + Subjunctive
‘Che’ introduces a subordinate clause that requires the subjunctive mood because the main clause expresses a request or waiting.
Present Subjunctive of ‘uscire’ (esca)
‘Esca’ is the present subjunctive of ‘uscire’. It agrees with the singular collective noun ‘la gente’.
Collective noun ‘la gente’
Although it refers to many people, ‘la gente’ is grammatically singular, so the verb stays in the third‑person singular form.
🗨In Conversation
Aspetta che la gente esca.
Wait until the people go out.
Va bene, non voglio disturbare.
Alright, I don’t want to disturb them.
✕Common Mistakes
Aspetta che la gente esce.
‘Esce’ is indicative; the clause needs the subjunctive ‘esca’ after ‘che’.
Aspetta che la gente esca fuori.
‘Fuori’ is redundant because ‘uscire’ already means ‘to go out’.
Aspetta la gente esca.
Missing the conjunction ‘che’ which triggers the subjunctive.
↔Alternatives
Aspetta che le persone escano.
Wait until the people go out.
Aspetta finché la gente non esce.
Wait until the crowd leaves.
Aspetta che la gente vada fuori.
Wait for the people to go outside.
Cultural Tip
In Italian, the subjunctive after ‘che’ is mandatory in clauses that express waiting, hoping, or fearing. ‘La gente’ is treated as a singular noun, so the verb never takes a plural ending. Native speakers often add ‘finché’ or ‘non’ for extra emphasis, but the core structure remains the same.