Chinese Conversation · Level 2
86 words
Chinese word
稍等
Pronunciation
Pinyinshāo děng
Meaning
- verbwait a moment
Example
稍等一下，我马上来。shāo děng yí xià wǒ mǎ shàng lái
Wait a moment, I'll be right there.
More examples
请稍等一下，我去拿给你。qǐng shāo děng yí xià wǒ qù ná gěi nǐ
Please wait a moment while I go get it for you.
Core concept
A compact signal that briefly suspends the conversation without ending it.
Common phrases
稍等一下shāo děng yí xià
wait a moment
请稍等qǐng shāo děng
Please wait
稍等一会儿shāo děng yí huìr
wait a while
Similar words
等děng: Waiting in the same place or state until something happens.
等一下děng yí xià: A casual request to wait for a very short time.
稍候shāo hòu: A somewhat formal request to wait briefly.
等一会儿děng yí huìr: A spoken request to wait for a little while.
Definition in Chinese
用于请求对方短时间等待的表达，语气可随上下文从随意到礼貌变化，常用于口语和服务场合。yòng yú qǐng qiú duì fāng duǎn shí jiān děng dài de biǎo dá yǔ qì kě suí shàng xià wén cóng suí yì dào lǐ mào biàn huà cháng yòng yú kóu yǔ hé fú wù chǎng hé
Word origin
稍等 (shāoděng, "wait a little") is formed from 稍 (shāo, "slightly") + 等 (děng, "wait"), making the idea of a short pause visible in the word itself.
Usage tips
- This expression is useful when attention shifts for only a short time, such as when a clerk checks information or a speaker finishes another task, rather than when a long delay is expected.