warten auf
to wait for
To let time pass until someone arrives or something happens that you are expecting.
EXAMPLE
Ich warte schon seit zwanzig Minuten auf den Bus.
I've already been waiting for the bus for twenty minutes.
warten
to wait / maintain
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Meanings
warten
to maintain
To regularly check and service technical devices, machines, or systems in order to keep them functioning.
EXAMPLE
Ein Techniker kommt einmal im Jahr, um die Heizung zu warten.
A technician comes once a year to maintain the heating system.
auf sich warten lassen
to be a long time coming
To take a long time before something or someone arrives or happens.
EXAMPLE
Eine Antwort auf seine Bewerbung ließ lange auf sich warten.
A response to his application was a long time coming.
Usage tips
Two meanings
The meaning of 'warten' depends strongly on the sentence structure. 'Warten auf' + accusative means to let time pass, to wait for something. 'Warten' + direct accusative (without 'auf') means to maintain a technical device.
EXAMPLE
Ich warte auf eine wichtige E-Mail.
I'm waiting for an important email.
Fixed preposition
When you are waiting for something or someone to come, you must use the preposition 'auf' followed by the accusative. The question is: 'Auf wen oder was wartest du?' (Who or what are you waiting for?).
EXAMPLE
Wir warten auf den Beginn des Films.
We're waiting for the start of the film.
Technical maintenance
In the technical meaning, 'warten' (to maintain) is a transitive verb that requires an accusative object. This object is always the machine or device being serviced.
EXAMPLE
Man sollte seine Klimaanlage regelmäßig warten lassen.
You should have your air conditioner maintained regularly.
Fixed expression
The expression 'auf sich warten lassen' (to be a long time coming) means that something or someone takes a long time to happen or arrive. The subject of the sentence is the thing that is delayed.
EXAMPLE
Der Frühling hat dieses Jahr lange auf sich warten lassen.
Spring was a long time coming this year.
Compare with
warten vs erwarten
to expect
Warten and erwarten can both refer to a person’s arrival. Warten auf describes the time passing until the arrival, while erwarten focuses on the expected arrival. Use warten auf for the process and erwarten for the person who is expected.
warten
Ich warte am Bahnhof auf meine Schwester, weil ihr Zug verspätet ist.
I am waiting for my sister at the station because her train is delayed.
erwarten
Ich erwarte meine Schwester am Bahnhof, weil ihr Zug bald ankommt.
I expect my sister at the station because her train will arrive soon.
In real life
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