两者均含有等之意，但是有区别：wait for (等候)通常指在一个地方呆着，不采取任何行动，一直等到某事发生，它主要强调时间的流逝且含有耽误之意，有时暗示某人来得太晚或某事发生得太迟等；而 expect(期待，预料)则指某事(可指好或不好的事)很可能会发生或到来，不强调时间的迟早，只说明一种心情。比较：

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。

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.

◆摘自《中学英语高频词详解词典》◆

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