待って
matte
The Japanese phrase for "wait for me" is 待って (matte).
This phrase is used as a request for someone to stop or slow down so that you can catch up with them.
Which one should you use?
While 待って is a casual request to "wait", the form 待ってくれ is a more masculine, forceful or urgent way to say "wait for me".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The casual form 待って is used in informal settings. For a more polite request suitable for strangers or superiors, you can add ください to the end to say 待ってください. If you need to be extremely formal, such as when interrupting someone, you can use 失礼しますが、私を待っていただけませんか？, which means "I apologize for the interruption, but could you wait for me, please?" In informal speech, you might also use 待ってよ！」 to sayWait for me!" or ちょっと待って！」 to sayWait a sec!"
How does it change in a sentence?
The form 待ってて is a common informal contraction of 待っていて, which is used to mean "wait (and stay in that state) for me".
How do you pronounce it?
matte
Did you know?
- When using the polite version 待ってください, the word ください is actually the imperative form of the verb 'to give'. You are essentially asking someone to 'give' you the favor of waiting.
- In Japanese, the word for 'wait' is often accompanied by a slight tilt of the head or a specific hand gesture to soften the command. This non-verbal cue is essential to avoid sounding like you are barking orders.
- The verb used in 待って is written with the kanji 待, which is also the root for the word 'expectation' in many contexts. This links the physical act of waiting with the mental act of expecting something to happen.
Examples in context
- 待ってくれ。Wait for me!This sentence is useful for practicing an urgent way to say "Wait for me!"Tatoeba #11041783 by small_snow, translation #464316 by lukaszpp
- 車で待ってて。Get into the car and wait for me.This sentence is useful for practicing a request to wait in a specific location like a car.Tatoeba #8593509 by bunbuku, translation #2738981 by sharptoothed
- 外で待ってて。Wait for me outside.This sentence is useful for practicing a request to wait in a specific location like outside.Tatoeba #8892053 by bunbuku, translation #3413000 by CK
- 19 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ren is running to catch up with Yui on the street.
- 蓮 Ren結衣、待って！Yui, matte!Yui, wait for me!
- 結衣 Yuiあ、蓮くん！A, Ren-kun!Oh, Ren!
- 蓮 Ren歩くのが早すぎるよ。Aruku no ga hayasugiru yo.You're walking too fast.
- 結衣 Yuiごめんね。Gomen ne.Sorry about that.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
