1. wait (for sth/sb)（尤指長期地）希望，盼望，期待
to hope or watch for sth to happen, especially for a long time
比較偏重於“等待”這個動作持續了很久，並且這個等待的過程中很少從事其他活動的意思，有時暗示某人（事物）來得太晚或某事發生得太遲或時間流逝且含有耽誤之意等：
Why are you shanding here?I’m waiting for John?
你站在幹嘛呢？我正在等John。
Leeds United had waited for success for eighteen years.
利茲聯隊企盼奪冠已經十八年了。
This is just the opportunity I've been waiting for.
這正是我一直在期待的機會。
He's waiting for me to make a mistake.
他正盼著我出錯呢。
[VN] I waited my chance and slipped out when no one was looking.
我等待時機，趁沒人注意時溜了出去。
When we came home we had a meal waiting for us
我們到家時，有一頓美餐正等著我們享用。
《柯林斯高階英漢雙解學習詞典》
He waited patiently for her.
他耐心地等待著他。
I've been waiting here for 2 hours!! Why are you so late, Thomas.
我已經在這裡等了兩個鐘頭，Thomas你怎麼那麼晚吶？
She awaits his answer.她等候他的答覆。
試比較：
I’m waiting for guests.我在等客人。（表示等了很久，而且是專門等著）
I’m expecting guests. 我在等客人。(側重於我心理在期盼著客人到來，不排除在等的時候從事著其他活動的可能性。)
2. expect sth/sb希望，盼望，期待；（常用於進行時）
to be waiting for sb/sth to arrive, as this has been arranged
側重於某人心理狀態在期盼著等待著，不排除在等的時候從事著其他活動的可能性。指對未來發生的事情有較大的把握，含有期待之意，也指預計某事或某行動的發生。
expect a visit/call/letter from sb
等待某人的來訪 / 電話 / 來信
Are you expecting visitors?
你在等客人嗎？
I am expecting several important letters but nothing has arrived...
我正在等幾封重要的信件，可是一封都沒到。
I’m expecting a telegram.我在等（盼）著一份電報。
I’m expecting John any minute now.我盼望著John很快回來。
I was expecting him yesterday.
我昨天一直在等他。
We were expecting him to arrive yesterday.
我們一直盼望著他昨天到達。
Hi, are you expecting a parcel here?
喂，你是不是在這兒等包裹？
To be frank, we are expecting visitors this evening.
說實話，我們今晚有客人。
My supervisor was expecting a phone call from me last Friday, but I totally forgot to callback. 我主管上禮拜五在等我的電話，但我竟然完全忘了要回撥。
最後分享幾個正誤用法：
他在校門口等他母親。
誤：He was expecting his mother at the school gate.
正：He was waiting for his mother at the school gate.
我們在等喬治的來信。
誤：We are waiting for a letter from George.
正：We are expecting [looking forward to] a letter from Goerge.
那麼我 10 點整等你。
誤：Then I’ll wait for you at exactly ten o’clock.
正：Then I’ll expect you at exactly ten o’clock.
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