Spanish Phrase
Estamos esperando a que lleguen más invitados.
Meaning
We are waiting for more guests to arrive. The phrase uses the progressive 'estar + gerundio' to show an ongoing action and the 'esperar a que + subjunctivo' pattern to express anticipation of a future event.
When to use
Use this sentence when you want to tell someone that a group is still waiting for additional people before starting an activity, such as a party, meeting, or dinner.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Estamosesperandoaquelleguenmásinvitados.
Estar + gerundio
The construction 'estar' + gerund expresses an ongoing action, similar to the English present progressive.
Esperar a que + subjuntivo
When you wait for something that has not happened yet, Spanish uses 'esperar a que' followed by the subjunctive mood.
Subjunctive trigger
The verb 'llegar' appears in the present subjunctive (lleguen) because the arrival is uncertain and future.
Quantifier 'más'
'Más' modifies the noun 'invitados' to indicate a larger number of guests.
🗨In Conversation
¿Ya están listos para la fiesta?
Are you ready for the party yet?
Sí, estamos esperando a que lleguen más invitados.
Yes, we are waiting for more guests to arrive.
✕Common Mistakes
Estamos esperando que lleguen más invitados.
The preposition 'a' is required before 'que' when 'esperar' means 'to wait for'.
Estamos esperando a que llegan más invitados.
After 'a que' you must use the subjunctive, not the indicative.
↔Alternatives
Estamos a la espera de que lleguen más invitados.
We are awaiting the arrival of more guests.
Esperamos que lleguen más invitados.
We hope that more guests will arrive.
Aún no empezamos porque faltan invitados.
We haven't started yet because guests are still missing.
Cultural Tip
In many Spanish‑speaking cultures, gatherings are often fluid; it's common to wait for a few extra guests before officially starting. Using the subjunctive here signals politeness and acknowledges that the arrival is not guaranteed.