What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is a combination of 기다리다 (to wait) and 주다 (to give), where the latter functions as an auxiliary verb meaning 'to do something for someone'.
Which one should you use?
While 기다려줘 is a standard informal request, 기다려주세요 is the formal and respectful version used when addressing strangers or superiors. If you want to express the idea of following someone specifically, you might use 제가 따라갈게요, which means 'I will follow along'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a polite or respectful expression, use 기다려주세요 when speaking to strangers or people of higher status. Among friends, you can also use the casual expressions 나 좀 기다려 (Wait for me for a bit) or 좀만 기다려줘 (Wait for me a bit, please).
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase is a command/request form. You can make the informal form polite by adding '요' (yo) to the end. While 기다려줘요 is grammatically possible, 기다려주세요 is much more common.
How do you pronounce it?
gidaryeojwo
Did you know?
- In many Korean digital contexts, such as texting, you might see people shorten the phrase to something like 기다려줘잉 by adding a nasal sound at the end. This makes the request sound much more 'cute' or 'aegyo' to the recipient.
- The verb 기다리다 is used in the phrase 기다리는 시간, which refers to the 'waiting time' at a bus stop or a restaurant, but can also poetically describe longing for a loved one.
- The auxiliary verb 주다 in 기다려줘 literally means 'to give', framing the act of waiting as a gift or a favor being granted to the speaker.
Examples in context
- 잠시만 기다려Wait for me for a moment
- 잠깐만 기다려줘!Wait for me for a second!
- 조금만 더 기다려줘.jogeumman deo gidaryeojwo.Wait for me just a little bit more.
- 나 좀 기다려줘!na jom gidaryeojwo!Wait for me!
- 여기서 나를 기다려줘.yeogiseo nareul gidaryeojwo.Wait for me here.
Example conversation
Dohyun is running late to meet Seoyeon at the entrance.
- 도현 Do-hyeon서연아, 거의 다 왔어! 기다려줘.Seoyeona, geoui da wasseo! gidaryeo-jwo.Seoyeon, I'm almost there! Wait for me.
- 서연 Seo-yeon알겠어. 천천히 와.algesseo. cheoncheonhi wa.Okay. Take your time.
- 도현 Do-hyeon미안해, 진짜 금방 갈게.mianhae, jinjja geumbang galge.I'm sorry, I'll be there really soon.
- 서연 Seo-yeon응, 여기서 기다리고 있을게.eung, yeogiseo gidarigo isseulge.Yeah, I'll be waiting here.
