attendre

Senses

1. 1.

   to wait (for)

   to pause or remain in a place expecting someone or something

2. 2.

   to expect

   to anticipate or suppose something will happen

3. 3.

   to wait for (someone/something) to do something

   to stay until a condition is met

4. 4.

   to be waiting (for someone)

   to be in store or awaiting someone

Examples

• "J'attends l'autobus depuis dix minutes."

  I've been waiting for the bus for ten minutes.

• "Tu m'attendais à la gare ?"

  Were you waiting for me at the station?

• "Je n'attendais pas une réponse aussi rapide."

  I wasn't expecting such a quick response.

Usage

Attendre is one of the most common French verbs. It requires an object (attendre quelque chose/quelqu'un) and combines with à to form "attendre à" (be waiting for). Common in phrases like "à l'attendre" (while waiting) and "se faire attendre" (to keep someone waiting). Note: "attendre que + subjunctive" means 'to wait until/for (someone to do something).'