Chinese word

等

Pronunciation

Pinyinděng

Meaning

  • verbwait

Example

你先走，我等你。nǐ xiān zǒu wǒ děng nǐ

You go first, and I'll wait for you.

Illustration for 等 (wait)

More examples

请等一下，我马上来。qíng děng yí xià wǒ mǎ shàng lái

Please wait a bit; I'll come right away.

Core concept

It leaves the next turn open for a person, an event, or another item in a series.

Common phrases

  • 等一下děng yí xià

    wait a bit

  • 等我děng wǒ

    wait for me

Similar words

等一下děng yí xià: Waiting briefly, often as a quick request to pause.
等一会儿děng yí huìr: Waiting for a little while before continuing.
稍等shāo děng: A polite request for someone to wait briefly.
等待děng dài: Waiting for an expected person or event over a period of time.

Definition in Chinese

在预期的人、事情或约定时间到来之前保持停留或暂停动作，不立即进行下一步。zài yù qī de rén shì qíng huò yuē dìng shí jiān dào lái zhī qián bǎo chí tíng liú huò zàn tíng dòng zuò bú lì jí jìn xíng xià yí bù

Word origin

The older sense behind 等 (děng, "wait") concerns rank and order, providing a natural link between holding an action until its turn and extending a category beyond the items already mentioned.

Usage tips

  • In everyday speech, 等一下 (děng yíxià, "wait a moment") marks a short pause, while 等一会儿 (děng yíhuìr, "wait a while") frames the pause with a time expression.

Other meanings

  • and so onparticle

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word