Chinese phrases
How to say wait in Chinese
Wait in Chinese is 等一下 (děng yí xià), “wait a moment.” Staff in shops and on the phone say 请稍等 (qǐng shāo děng), “one moment, please.”
等一下
wait a moment
一 changes to yí before the fourth tone of 下: děng yí xià.
Ways to say wait
等一下
Everydaywait a moment
With anyone: to stop someone, or to ask for a moment before you answer.
等等
With friendswait, wait!
Quick and urgent: someone is about to leave, or you just noticed something.
等我一下
With friendswait for me
You need a minute before you’re ready to go.
稍等
Textingone moment
In a chat: 稍等，我看一下, “one sec, let me check.” Staff also say it to you.
请稍等
On the phoneone moment, please
On the phone, at a hotel desk or a bank counter. You hear it more than you say it.
Say you’re coming
来了
coming!
When someone calls you or knocks. Often doubled: 来了来了!
马上来
coming right away
A waiter’s answer when you call. You can say it too.
快好了
almost ready
When someone waits for you to finish.
马上到
I’ll be there soon
In a text when you’re late.
Common mistakes
Taking 马上 literally
马上 means “right away,” but 马上到 can mean five minutes or twenty. If you need to know, ask 还要多久?
Using 等待 in speech
等待 is for signs and announcements: 请耐心等待, “please wait patiently.” In speech, say 等: 我在等朋友.
Leaving the house
车到了，走吧！
Liangliang: The car’s here, let’s go!
等我一下，我找不到钥匙。
Leon: Wait for me, I can’t find my keys.
快点，司机在等我们。
Liangliang: Hurry, the driver is waiting for us.
找到了！来了来了！
Leon: Found them! Coming, coming!
