ちょっと待って、え？
chotto matte, e?
In Japanese, "wait, what?" is expressed as ちょっと待って、え？ (chotto matte, e?)
This phrase is used to express surprise or confusion when you hear something unexpected.
What does it mean word for word?
The part ちょっと待って (chotto matte) literally means "wait a little".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
ちょっと待って、え？ is an informal way to express surprise and is suitable for use with friends or family.
How do you pronounce it?
chotto matte, e?
Did you know?
- The word ちょっと (chotto) can actually mean 'a little bit' or 'a moment', but in certain contexts, it is used as a sharp way to call someone's attention or even to rebuke them.
- If a speaker is extremely shocked, they might replace え？ (e?) with はあ？ (haa?), but be careful, as this version can sound angry or incredulous.
- In highly informal speech among young people, ちょっと (chotto) is often shortened or slurred, making the phrase sound more like ちょ待って (cho matte).
Examples in context
- Maji de? マジで？Seriously? or Are you serious?
- Honto? ほんと？Really?
- Chotto matte! ちょっと待って！Wait a minute!
- 昨日、彼女と別れたよ。(Kinou, kanojo to wakareta yo.)
Person B: えっ、マジ？ (Eh, maji?)Person A: I broke up with my girlfriend yesterday. Person B: Wait, what? Seriously? - 今日、テストがあります。(Kyou, tesuto ga arimasu.)
Person B: ええっ、マジで？ (Ehh, maji de?)Person A: We have a test today. Person B: Wait, what? Are you serious? - ちょっと待って、え？何のこと？Chotto matte, e? Nan no koto?Wait, what? What are you talking about?
- ちょっと待って、え？本当なの？Chotto matte, e? Honto na no?Wait, what? Is that true?
- ちょっと待って、え？聞き間違いかな？Chotto matte, e? Kikimachigai kana?Wait, what? Did I mishear you?
Example conversation
Ren tells Yui that they are moving to another city.
- 蓮 Ren来月から、別の街に引っ越すことになったんだ。Raigetsu kara, betsu no machi ni hikkosu koto ni natta nda.I'm moving to another city starting next month.
- 結衣 Yuiちょっと待って、え？急すぎるよ！Chotto matte, e? Kyuu sugiru yo!Wait, what? That's too sudden!
- 蓮 Ren仕事の都合で、どうしても行かないといけないんだ。Shigoto no tsugou de, doushitemo ikanai to ikenai nda.Because of work, I absolutely have to go.
- 結衣 Yuiそんな、悲しすぎるよ、蓮くん。Sonna, kanashisugiru yo, Ren-kun.That's so sad, Ren.
