Portuguese Phrase
Espera aqui pelo ônibus número 10.
Meaning
The sentence tells someone to stay in the current spot while waiting for bus number 10 to arrive. It combines a command (espera), a location adverb (aqui), and a prepositional phrase that identifies the specific bus.
When to use
Use this phrase when you are giving a friend or a stranger directions at a bus stop, or when you need to keep someone in place while you both wait for a particular bus line.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Esperaaquipeloônibusnúmero10
Imperative of 'esperar'
‘Espera’ is the informal (tu) imperative form of the verb ‘esperar’ meaning ‘to wait’.
Adverb of place
‘aqui’ means ‘here’ and is placed after the verb to indicate where the action should happen.
Contraction ‘pelo’
‘pelo’ = ‘por’ + ‘o’, used here to mean ‘for the’ (as in ‘for the bus’).
Noun + numeral
‘número 10’ specifies the exact bus; the numeral follows the noun without a preposition.
Article omission
In Portuguese, the article before a bus number is usually omitted; you say ‘ônibus número 10’, not ‘o ônibus número 10’.
🗨In Conversation
Espera aqui pelo ônibus número 10.
Wait here for bus number 10.
Obrigado, vou ficar aqui então.
Thanks, I’ll stay here then.
✕Common Mistakes
Espere aqui pelo ônibus número 10.
‘Espere’ is the formal imperative; use ‘Espera’ for informal ‘tu’ or add ‘por favor’ for politeness.
Espera aqui no ônibus número 10.
Learners often say ‘no ônibus número 10’; the correct preposition here is ‘pelo’ (por + o).
Aqui espera pelo ônibus número 10.
Placing ‘aqui’ after the verb is natural; putting it before the verb can sound stilted.
↔Alternatives
Fique aqui esperando o ônibus 10.
Stay here waiting for bus 10.
Aguarde aqui o ônibus número 10.
Await the bus number 10 here.
Espere aqui até chegar o ônibus 10.
Wait here until bus 10 arrives.
Cultural Tip
In most Brazilian cities, bus numbers are displayed on the front of the vehicle and on the stop signs. Locals often refer to the bus simply by its number, dropping the word ‘ônibus’. Also, it’s polite to say ‘por favor’ before giving a command, e.g., ‘Por favor, espera aqui…’. In formal contexts you would use the formal imperative ‘Espere’ instead of ‘Espera’.