Signification
Asking someone not to leave yet
Contexte culturel
Bulgarians often use 'Чакай ме' as a way to maintain social connection. If you don't say it, your friends might think you want to be alone. In the Balkans, time is often seen as 'circular' rather than 'linear'. Waiting for someone is a sign of respect and friendship, not a waste of time. Compared to Germans or Swiss, Bulgarians are much more likely to use 'Чакай ме' frequently and expect others to comply without frustration. In Bulgarian texting, 'Чакай ме' is often shortened or accompanied by emojis like 🏃♂️ or ⏳.
Add 'Моля'
Even with friends, adding 'моля' (please) makes the command sound less like an order and more like a request.
Watch the Clitic
Never say 'Ме чакай'. It's a dead giveaway that you are a beginner or translating from English.
Signification
Asking someone not to leave yet
Add 'Моля'
Even with friends, adding 'моля' (please) makes the command sound less like an order and more like a request.
Watch the Clitic
Never say 'Ме чакай'. It's a dead giveaway that you are a beginner or translating from English.
Use 'Почакай' for politeness
Using the perfective 'Почакай' sounds slightly softer than the blunt 'Чакай'.
Eye Contact
When saying 'Чакай ме', making eye contact or a hand gesture helps ensure the person actually heard you in a noisy environment.
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct form of the pronoun 'me'.
Чакай ____, идвам след минута!
The short accusative pronoun 'ме' is the standard form used with 'чакай'.
Which sentence is the correct way to ask a friend to wait?
Select the correct option:
The clitic 'ме' must follow the imperative verb 'чакай'.
Complete the dialogue.
Иван: Тръгвам към парка. Ти: ________, само да си взема вода.
You are asking Ivan (singular/informal) to wait for you.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You are with a group of 5 friends who are walking too fast.
Use the plural 'Чакайте' when addressing more than one person.
Use the perfective form to say 'Wait for me until I finish'.
________ ме да си измия ръцете.
'Изчакай' is used when waiting for a specific action to be completed.
🎉 Score : /5
Aides visuelles
Common Places to use 'Чакай ме'
Travel
- • Bus stop
- • Train station
- • Airport
Social
- • Cafe
- • Park
- • Cinema
Banque d exercices
5 exercicesЧакай ____, идвам след минута!
The short accusative pronoun 'ме' is the standard form used with 'чакай'.
Select the correct option:
The clitic 'ме' must follow the imperative verb 'чакай'.
Иван: Тръгвам към парка. Ти: ________, само да си взема вода.
You are asking Ivan (singular/informal) to wait for you.
You are with a group of 5 friends who are walking too fast.
Use the plural 'Чакайте' when addressing more than one person.
________ ме да си измия ръцете.
'Изчакай' is used when waiting for a specific action to be completed.
🎉 Score : /5
Questions fréquentes
14 questionsIt depends on the tone. With friends, it's perfectly normal. With strangers, use 'Изчакайте ме, моля'.
'Чакай' is the general process of waiting. 'Изчакай' implies waiting until a specific thing is done.
No, that is a literal translation from English and is grammatically incorrect in Bulgarian.
Use the plural form: 'Чакайте ме!'.
In Bulgarian, short pronouns follow the verb in the imperative mood.
No, it's too informal. Use 'Моля да ме изчакате' or 'Благодаря за търпението'.
It's a common idiom meaning 'Hold on a second' or 'Wait a minute' used to interrupt someone.
You might hear 'Чакай малко, бе!', where 'бе' adds a very casual, sometimes slightly annoyed emphasis.
Say 'Не ме чакай'. Note that 'ме' moves before the verb in negative sentences.
Yes, it's a very common theme in romantic Bulgarian pop and folk music.
Only if you have a very close, informal relationship. Otherwise, use 'Изчакайте ме'.
Usually 'Добре' (Okay) or 'Хайде, бързай!' (Come on, hurry up!).
No, that's 'Очаквай ме'. 'Чакай ме' means 'don't leave'.
It's a short 'y' sound, like the 'y' in 'boy'.
Expressions liées
Почакай малко
similarWait a little bit
Спри се
similarStop yourself
Ей сега идвам
builds onI'm coming right now
Не мърдай
specialized formDon't move
Очаквай ме
contrastExpect me
Изчакай си реда
specialized formWait your turn
