待って
matte
The English word 'wait' translates to Japanese as 待って (matte).
The verb is used to express delaying an action until a certain event occurs. The related noun form 待ち refers to the act of a delay itself.
Meaning: delay until some event (verb)
Which one should you use?
While 待って can function as a casual command, you can turn it into a polite request by adding ください to form 待ってください.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
待って is an informal imperative form used with friends or subordinates. For a more polite request, use 待ってください. In formal situations, you might use the phrase ちょっと待ってください to mean 'Could you wait for a moment, please?' In casual situations, the phrase ちょっと待って is also commonly used.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The dictionary form of the verb is 待つ, which is used in informal speech. The negative form is 待たない, meaning 'not wait'. To express that someone is currently in the act of waiting, use the progressive form 待っています.
How do you pronounce it?
matte
Did you know?
- Japanese culture often views the act of 'waiting' as a social grace, and the phrase お待たせしました (omatase shimashita), meaning 'I have kept you waiting', is a required polite greeting when arriving late or serving food.
- The noun 待ち合わせ refers to a 'meeting' or an 'appointment', but it literally translates to 'the act of waiting for each other'.
- The word 待ち金 (machikin) refers to 'money that is being waited for', specifically an expected payment that has been delayed.
Examples in context
- 待ってろよ。Wait!This sentence shows a casual way to say 'Wait!'Tatoeba #10906788 by small_snow, translation #1744314 by belgavox
- 待ってくれ。Wait for me!This sentence shows how to say 'Wait for me!'Tatoeba #11041783 by small_snow, translation #464316 by lukaszpp
- 待ってあげる。I'll wait for you.This sentence shows how to say 'I'll wait for you.'.Tatoeba #137941 by KK_kaku_, translation #275296 by CK
- 226 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hiyori and Kenta are walking to the station together.
- 陽葵 Himariちょっと待って！靴紐がほどけた。Chotto matte! Kutsuhimo ga hodoketa.Wait a second! My shoelace came undone.
- 健太 Kentaいいよ。ここで待ってるね。Ii yo. Koko de matteru ne.That's fine. I'll wait here.
- 陽葵 Himariありがとう。すぐ終わるから待ってて。Arigatou. Sugu owaru kara mattete.Thanks. I'll be done soon, so please wait.
- 健太 Kenta了解。ゆっくりでいいよ。Ryoukai. Yukkuri de ii yo.Got it. Take your time.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
