1. wait (for sth/sb)（尤指长期地）希望，盼望，期待 to hope or watch for sth to happen，especially for a long time
比较偏重于“等待”这个动作持续了很久，并且这个等待的过程中很少从事其他活动的意思，有时暗示某人（事物）来得太晚或某事发生得太迟或时间流逝且含有耽误之意等：
Why are you shanding here?I’m waiting for John?
动名词)eg: He has been looking forward to going to England for a long time.好久以来他一直盼望去英国。Looking forward to a prompt reply.盼速复信。look forward to doing sth 盼望着做某事；期盼做某事 。
你站在干嘛呢？我正在等John。
盼望着做某事的英文短语，Leeds United had waited for success for eighteen years.
利兹联队企盼夺冠已经十八年了。
这正是我一直在期待的机会。
He's waiting for me to make a mistake.
他正盼着我出错呢。
[VN] I waited my chance and slipped out when no one was looking.
我等待时机，趁没人注意时溜了出去。
When we came home we had a meal waiting for us
我们到家时，有一顿美餐正等着我们享用。
《柯林斯高阶英汉双解学习词典》
He waited patiently for her.
他耐心地等待着他。
我已经在这里等了两个钟头，Thomas你怎么那么晚吶？
She awaits his answer.她等候他的答复。
试比较：
I’m waiting for guests.我在等客人。（表示等了很久，而且是专门等着）
I’m expecting guests. 我在等客人。(侧重于我心理在期盼着客人到来，不排除在等的时候从事着其他活动的可能性。)
look forward to ： 期待，盼望 后面接名词或者动名词。例如：I look forward to your good news.我等待你的好消息。Look forward to hearing from you.等待你的来信。/等待你的消息。
2. expect sth/sb希望，盼望，期待；（常用于进行时）
侧重于某人心理状态在期盼着等待着，不排除在等的时候从事着其他活动的可能性。指对未来发生的事情有较大的把握，含有期待之意，也指预计某事或某行动的发生。
expect a visit/call/letter from sb
等待某人的来访 / 电话 / 来信
期待做某事英语短语是：expect to do。expect读法英 [ɪkˈspekt] 美 [ɪkˈspekt]v. 期待；预计；要求，指望；认为 短语 expect to do sth 期望去做某事 ; 等待做某事 ; 期望做某事 Expect。
Are you expecting visitors?
你在等客人吗？
I am expecting several important letters but nothing has arrived...
我正在等几封重要的信件，可是一封都没到。
I’m expecting a telegram.我在等（盼）着一份电报。
I’m expecting John any minute now.我盼望着John很快回来。
I was expecting him yesterday.
我昨天一直在等他。
We were expecting him to arrive yesterday.
我们一直盼望着他昨天到达。
盼望做某事 look forward to doing sth.期待/盼望做某事 look forward to doing sth ; expect to do sth 例句：I am looking forward to the sport meeting in next week.我盼望着下个星期的运动会。I am looking fo。
Hi，are you expecting a parcel here?
喂，你是不是在这儿等包裹？
To be frank，we are expecting visitors this evening.
说实话，我们今晚有客人。
My supervisor was expecting a phone call from me last Friday，but I totally forgot to callback. 我主管上礼拜五在等我的电话，但我竟然完全忘了要回拨。
最后分享几个正误用法：
他在校门口等他母亲。
误：He was expecting his mother at the school gate.
正：He was waiting for his mother at the school gate.
我们在等乔治的来信。
Expect 英 [ɪk'spekt] 美 [ɪk'spekt]v. 预期；期待；盼望。He is expected to get through to the finals.我们期待他进入决赛。用法：1、expect多用作及物动词，可接名词、代词、动词不定式或。
误：We are waiting for a letter from George.
正：We are expecting [looking forward to] a letter from Goerge.
那么我 10 点整等你。
误：Then I’ll wait for you at exactly ten o’clock.
正：Then I’ll expect you at exactly ten o’clock.
