Bedeutung
A polite way to ask someone to wait briefly.
Kultureller Hintergrund
The Dutch value efficiency. 'Even wachten' is a way to acknowledge a delay without making a big deal out of it. It's part of the 'doe maar normaal' (just act normal) culture. In Flanders, people might use 'Wacht eens' or 'Effe wachten' more frequently. The tone is often perceived as slightly softer than in the Northern Netherlands. In Surinamese Dutch, the rhythm of the phrase might change, and it's often followed by 'hoor' to add warmth. In Dutch offices, 'Even wachten' is used to manage interruptions. If someone walks into your office, saying 'Even wachten' while staying on your computer is considered acceptable and not necessarily rude.
The Magic Word
Always use 'even' when asking for something. It's the easiest way to sound 100% more polite in Dutch.
Don't over-wait
If you say 'Even wachten' and then take 5 minutes, people will get annoyed. It's for short bursts only.
Bedeutung
A polite way to ask someone to wait briefly.
The Magic Word
Always use 'even' when asking for something. It's the easiest way to sound 100% more polite in Dutch.
Don't over-wait
If you say 'Even wachten' and then take 5 minutes, people will get annoyed. It's for short bursts only.
The 'Hoor' Add-on
Add 'hoor' at the end ('Even wachten, hoor!') to sound like a native. It makes you sound friendly and reassuring.
Eye Contact
When saying 'Even wachten' in a shop, a quick nod or eye contact is expected to confirm the 'social contract' of the wait.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the missing word to make the request polite.
___ wachten, ik moet mijn jas pakken.
'Even' is the standard particle used to soften the request to wait.
Which phrase is most appropriate when a customer is waiting at a bank?
The bank teller says:
In a formal setting like a bank, 'Eén moment alstublieft' is the most professional choice.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 'Ga je mee naar de stad?' B: 'Ja, ___ ___ , ik moet mijn schoenen nog aandoen.'
The speaker needs a moment to put on shoes, so 'even wachten' fits perfectly.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You are texting a close friend that you will be 2 minutes late.
'Wacht ff' is the standard informal/texting version of the phrase.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Formality Levels of Waiting
Aufgabensammlung
4 Aufgaben___ wachten, ik moet mijn jas pakken.
'Even' is the standard particle used to soften the request to wait.
The bank teller says:
In a formal setting like a bank, 'Eén moment alstublieft' is the most professional choice.
A: 'Ga je mee naar de stad?' B: 'Ja, ___ ___ , ik moet mijn schoenen nog aandoen.'
The speaker needs a moment to put on shoes, so 'even wachten' fits perfectly.
You are texting a close friend that you will be 2 minutes late.
'Wacht ff' is the standard informal/texting version of the phrase.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
12 FragenNo, it's actually the standard polite way to ask for a short pause. Just saying 'Wacht!' would be rude.
Yes, it's neutral enough for most workplace interactions, though 'Eén momentje' is slightly more formal.
It's a modal particle that means 'for a short time' or 'just.' It doesn't have a direct English translation in this context.
Usually anywhere from 2 seconds to about a minute. Anything longer requires a different explanation.
No, 'ff' is strictly for informal texting (WhatsApp, etc.). Use 'Eén moment' in an email.
The word 'hoor' adds a sense of 'you know' or 'okay?' It makes the phrase sound more conversational and less like a command.
You can, but it's less common than 'Even wachten'. It sounds a bit more like a translation from English.
They are almost identical. 'Even wachten' is slightly more passive (like 'waiting for a bit'), while 'Wacht even' is a direct request to the other person.
In most dialects, the 'n' in 'even' and 'wachten' is silent. It sounds like 'Eevuh wachtuh'.
No, if you're late, you should say 'Sorry dat ik te laat ben.' 'Even wachten' is for a pause happening *now*.
Often a slightly raised index finger or a flat palm (not too high) accompanies the phrase.
The most formal version is 'Zoudt u een ogenblik geduld willen oefenen?' but that is extremely rare. 'Eén moment alstublieft' is the standard formal version.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Eén momentje
synonymOne little moment
Wacht even
similarWait a moment
Geduld a.u.b.
formalPatience please
Blijf even hangen
specialized formStay on the line
Schiet op
contrastHurry up
Even geduld
similarA bit of patience
