等
dang²
The English phrase 'wait' is translated into Cantonese as 等 (dang²).
The verb 等 is used to describe delaying an action until some event occurs. When using this verb with an object, such as a person, you use it directly without a preposition. For example, 等緊你 means 'waiting for you'.
Meaning: delay until some event (verb)
How does it change in a sentence?
To indicate that the action of waiting is currently in progress, add 緊 after the verb to form 等緊 (waiting). To indicate that the action of waiting has been completed or has already occurred, add the aspect marker 咗 after the verb to form 等咗 (waited).
How do you pronounce it?
dang²
Did you know?
- If you are telling someone to 'wait a moment', you might use 等陣, where 陣 refers to a period of time or a gust of wind.
- While 等 means 'to wait', it is also used in the phrase 等等, which functions like 'etcetera' or 'and so on' at the end of a list.
- The character 等 is also used to describe social ranks or grades, as it refers to 'levels' or 'classes' of quality.
Examples in context
- 佢唔想等你。He doesn't want to wait for you.This sentence is useful for practicing the verb 等.Tatoeba #1579589 by nickyeow, translation #1579398 by fanty
- 留喺呢度等佢。Stay here and wait for her.Tatoeba #1667936 by nickyeow, translation #1196585 by CH
- 我冇時間去等。I have no time to wait.Tatoeba #12278576 by FishlandicFishy, translation #12156025 by ddnktr
- 11 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ka Yan and Jun Jie are meeting for lunch.
- 嘉欣 Ka Yan你等咗好耐未？nei5 dang2 zo2 hou2 noi6 mei6?Have you been waiting for long?
- 俊傑 Chun Kit冇，我啱啱先到。mou5, ngo5 ngaam1 ngaam1 sin1 dou3.No, I just arrived.
- 嘉欣 Ka Yan唔好意思，等我五分鐘。m4 hou2 ji3 si1, dang2 ngo5 ng5 fan1 zung1.Sorry, wait for me for five minutes.
- 俊傑 Chun Kit冇問題，慢慢嚟。mou5 man6 tai4, maan6 maan6 lei4.No problem, take your time.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “wait” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
