ちょっと待ってください
The English phrase "please wait a minute" is translated into Japanese as ちょっと待ってください.
The phrase ちょっと待ってください is used when you need someone to pause their current action or wait for a short duration of time. Other useful expressions include 少し確認させてください (Please allow me a moment to check.) and もう少しお時間をいただけますか (Can I have a little more time, please?).
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of chotto (a little/a bit), matte (the te-form of the verb to wait) and kudasai (please).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For an informal way to say "Wait a minute", you can use ちょっと待ってくれ. You can also make the phrase informal and suitable for friends or family by dropping the kudasai to say ちょっと待って.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the te-form of the verb matsu (to wait) combined with kudasai to form a polite request.
Did you know?
- Japanese has a concept called 'kuuki wo yomu' or reading the air. If someone says ちょっと待ってください with a specific hesitation, it may actually be a polite way of saying 'no' or 'I cannot do that'.
- If you are in a rush, you might hear ちょっと! shouted on its own. In this context, it is not asking someone to wait, but is instead used to get someone's attention or express sudden annoyance.
- In a business context, saying ちょっと待ってください can actually sound too direct or blunt. Professionals often use the more indirect 少々お待ちください to show higher respect to a client or superior.
Examples in context
- ちょっと待ってください。Please wait a minute.Tatoeba #10901614 by small_snow, translation #1939683 by linguine
- しばらくお待ちください、スタッフが戻ります。Please wait for a while, the staff will be back.
- ちょっと待ってください、すぐに戻ります。Wait a minute, I'll be right back.
- ちょっと待ってくれ、すぐに終わるよ。Wait a minute, it'll be over soon.
- ちょっと待ってください、今行きます。Chotto matte kudasai, ima ikimasu.Please wait a minute, I'm coming now.
- すみません、ちょっと待ってください。Sumimasen, chotto matte kudasai.Excuse me, please wait a minute.
Example conversation
Yui is looking for her keys before leaving the house.
- 結衣 Yuiあ、鍵がない！ちょっと待ってください。A, kagi ga nai! Chotto matte kudasai.Oh, I can't find my keys! Please wait a minute.
- 陽太 Yotaいいよ。ゆっくり探して。Ii yo. Yukkuri sagashite.That's fine. Take your time looking.
- 結衣 Yuiあった！お待たせしました。Atta! Omatase shimashita.Found them! Sorry to keep you waiting.
- 陽太 Yotaよし、行こうか。Yoshi, ikou ka.Alright, shall we go?
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
