warten
to wait · to maintain, to service
Warten means 'to wait' – to stay somewhere or delay doing something until a person arrives or an event happens. It is a very common, neutral verb used in everyday speech. Germans often use it with 'auf' + accusative to say what or who they are waiting for.
What warten means
- to wait — general use; staying or delaying until something happens
- to maintain, to service — technical context, e.g. a machine or car is serviced (B1 level)
Heard in real German videos
Lines where warten was actually spoken, from German videos watched with DeutschChat.
- Warte, wenn ich dich erwische.Wait, when I catch you.
- Warte auf mich, mein Pionier.Wait for me, my pioneer.
- Oh, müssen wir wirklich auf ihn warten?Oh, do we really have to wait for him?
Example sentences
- Ich warte auf dich.I am waiting for you.
- Wir müssen noch zehn Minuten warten.We have to wait another ten minutes.
- Er wartet auf den Bus.He is waiting for the bus.
- Warte kurz, ich komme gleich.Wait a moment, I'll be right there.
Grammar
| Present (ich/du/er) | warte / wartest / wartet |
|---|---|
| Simple past | wartete |
| Perfect | hat gewartet |
| Separable | no |
| Case it takes | auf + accusative (when waiting for someone/something) |
Use 'auf' + accusative to say what you are waiting for: 'Ich warte auf den Bus.' For the meaning 'to maintain', warten takes an accusative object: 'Ich warte das Auto.'
Common phrases
- warten aufto wait for
- Warte mal!Wait a moment!
- abwartento wait and see
- sich geduldento be patient (synonym)
The mistake English speakers make
English speakers often forget the preposition 'auf' when saying what they are waiting for. Always say 'warten auf + accusative', not just 'warten' with a direct object.
Don’t confuse it with
- erwarten — Erwarten means 'to expect', while warten means 'to wait'.
Questions learners ask
What preposition does 'warten' take?
Use 'auf' + accusative: 'Ich warte auf den Bus.'
How do you conjugate 'warten' in the present tense?
ich warte, du wartest, er/sie/es wartet, wir warten, ihr wartet, sie warten.
What is the difference between 'warten' and 'erwarten'?
'Warten' means 'to wait', while 'erwarten' means 'to expect'.