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Portuguese Phrase

Espera que as pessoas saiam.

/esˈpeɾa ki aʃ peˈsoɐs ˈsajɐ̃w̃/
Meaning"I hope that people leave."
💡

Meaning

The sentence expresses a hope or expectation that people will leave. It is not a direct command; the speaker is wishing that the departure happens.

🎯

When to use

Use this structure when you want to convey a personal hope about someone else's actions, especially in informal conversation or when reflecting on a situation that is out of your control.

✦Grammar Breakdown

Esperaqueaspessoassaiam

1

Esperar (imperative vs. indicative)

"Espera" can be the 2nd‑person singular imperative of esperar ("wait"), but in this phrase it is often a colloquial contraction of "espero" meaning "I hope".

2

que + subjunctive

The conjunction "que" introduces a clause that requires the subjunctive mood because it expresses a wish, doubt, or uncertainty.

3

as pessoas (definite article)

"as" is the feminine plural definite article, used here to refer to a specific group of people.

4

saiam (present subjunctive)

"saiam" is the 3rd‑person plural present subjunctive of "sair" (to leave), required after "que" when expressing a hope.

🗨In Conversation

A

Espera que as pessoas saiam antes da reunião.

I hope that people leave before the meeting.

Sim, assim teremos mais espaço para conversar.

Yes, that way we'll have more room to talk.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Espera que as pessoas saiam.

    If you mean "I hope", the correct subject is "espero". "Espera" is the imperative ("wait") or third‑person singular present indicative.

  • Espera que as pessoas saem.

    After "que" expressing a wish, you must use the subjunctive "saiam", not the indicative "saem".

↔Alternatives

  • Espero que as pessoas saiam.

    I hope that people leave.

  • Desejo que as pessoas saiam.

    I wish that people leave.

  • Quero que as pessoas saiam.

    I want people to leave.

pt

Cultural Tip

In Brazilian Portuguese, "esperar que" followed by the subjunctive is the standard way to express a hope. Avoid mixing the indicative form "saem" after "que" because it changes the meaning to a factual statement rather than a wish. Also, if you intend the literal command "wait", you would say "Espere que as pessoas saiam" (formal) or "Espera aí que as pessoas saiam" (colloquial).