Phrase in 30 Seconds
A direct, friendly way to tell someone to stay in their current spot while you step away.
- Means: 'Wait here' in the informal singular (du) form.
- Used in: Casual settings with friends, family, or children.
- Don't confuse: With 'Warten Sie hier', which is the required formal version.
Explanation at your level:
Meaning
An imperative to remain in the current location.
Cultural Background
Germans value their personal space. When told to 'Warte hier', people will usually find a spot that doesn't block {der|m} Weg (the path) for others. In Austria, you might hear 'Wart a bisserl' (Wait a little bit). It sounds softer and more melodic than the standard German command. Swiss German often uses 'Wart schnell' (Wait quickly) even if the wait isn't literally fast. It’s a common filler. Berliners are known for being direct and sometimes 'schnauzig' (gruff). A simple 'Wart hier!' is very common and not intended to be mean.
The 'Mal' Magic
Add 'mal' to make it sound 10x more natural: 'Warte mal hier'.
The Sie-Trap
If you aren't 100% sure, use 'Warten Sie hier'. It's never rude to be too formal.
The 'Mal' Magic
Add 'mal' to make it sound 10x more natural: 'Warte mal hier'.
The Sie-Trap
If you aren't 100% sure, use 'Warten Sie hier'. It's never rude to be too formal.
Body Language
Point to the ground when you say it to make your meaning crystal clear.
Test Yourself
You are talking to your best friend. Which one is correct?
____ hier, ich bin gleich zurück!
Since it is a best friend (informal singular), 'Warte' is the correct imperative.
Fill in the missing word for 'Wait here'.
Warte ____!
'Hier' is the standard word for 'here'.
Complete the dialogue between a mother and her child.
Mutter: '____ hier an {die|f} Tür, mein Kind.' Kind: 'Okay, Mama.'
Parents use the 'du' imperative with their children.
Match the phrase to the correct person.
To whom would you say 'Warten Sie hier bitte'?
You must use the formal 'Sie' form with officials.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Du vs. Sie Imperative
Practice Bank
5 exercises____ hier, ich bin gleich zurück!
Since it is a best friend (informal singular), 'Warte' is the correct imperative.
Warte ____!
'Hier' is the standard word for 'here'.
Mutter: '____ hier an {die|f} Tür, mein Kind.' Kind: 'Okay, Mama.'
Parents use the 'du' imperative with their children.
To whom would you say 'Warten Sie hier bitte'?
You must use the formal 'Sie' form with officials.
🎉 Score: /5
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, it's very common in spoken German to drop the 'e'.
No, use 'Warten Sie hier' to be respectful.
'Hier' is right here; 'da' is over there (but close).
Use 'Wartet hier!'
Only if you say it to a stranger or a superior. With friends, it's normal.
You could say 'Warte hier auf mich.'
It's rare in writing unless you are texting a friend.
Just saying 'Moment!' works too.
Yes, usually it implies you are leaving and returning.
Warten Sie hier.
Related Phrases
Bleib hier
similarStay here
Moment mal
similarWait a moment
Gleich wieder da
builds onRight back
Warten Sie bitte
specialized formPlease wait (formal)
Abwarten
relatedTo wait and see
Where to Use It
At the Cafe
Lukas: Ich hole uns zwei Kaffee. Warte hier an {der|m} Tisch.
Sarah: Alles klar, ich reserviere {die|f} Plätze.
Shopping
Mama: Warte hier vor {das|n} Geschäft, ich bin sofort zurück.
Kind: Okay, ich spiele hier.
Train Station
Tom: Warte hier auf {der|m} Bahnsteig. Ich schaue auf {der|m} Fahrplan.
Anna: Beeil dich, {der|m} Zug kommt bald!
Dog Training
Besitzer: Bello, warte hier! Brav!
Hund: (Wartet geduldig)
At a Party
Jan: Warte hier, ich stelle dir meine Freundin vor.
Marc: Super, ich bin gespannt.
Hiking
Max: Warte hier an {die|f} Kreuzung. Ich schaue, wo {der|m} Weg ist.
Julia: Gute Idee, ich mache eine Pause.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Warte sounds like 'Wait'. Both start with 'W' and end with a vowel sound in speech. 'Hier' sounds like 'Here'.
Visual Association
Imagine a bright red 'X' on the ground where you are standing. You are glued to that 'X' until your friend returns.
Rhyme
Warte hier, ich bring' dir {das|n} Bier!
Story
You are a guard at a castle. Your captain looks you in the eye and says 'Warte hier!' You must stay at the gate to protect the treasure until he returns with the key.
In Other Languages
In English, it's 'Wait here'. In Dutch, it's 'Wacht hier'. The Germanic roots make these very similar and easy for English speakers to learn.
Word Web
Challenge
Next time you are with a friend, use 'Warte hier' instead of 'Wait here' when you go to the bathroom or grab a coffee.
Review this phrase on day 1, 3, and 7. Focus on the 'W' sound (pronounced like an English 'V').
Pronunciation
The 'W' is like an English 'V'. The 'r' is a soft throat sound.
The 'ie' is a long 'ee' sound. The 'r' at the end is almost like an 'ah' sound.
Formality Spectrum
Warten Sie bitte hier. (General instruction)
Warten Sie hier. (General instruction)
Warte hier. (General instruction)
Wart ma' hier. (General instruction)
From Old High German 'warten', meaning to look out or guard.
Fun Fact
The word 'Warteschlange' (waiting snake) is the German word for a queue!
Cultural Notes
Germans value their personal space. When told to 'Warte hier', people will usually find a spot that doesn't block {der|m} Weg (the path) for others.
“Warte hier an {die|f} Seite.”
In Austria, you might hear 'Wart a bisserl' (Wait a little bit). It sounds softer and more melodic than the standard German command.
“Wart a bisserl hier.”
Swiss German often uses 'Wart schnell' (Wait quickly) even if the wait isn't literally fast. It’s a common filler.
“Wart schnell da.”
Berliners are known for being direct and sometimes 'schnauzig' (gruff). A simple 'Wart hier!' is very common and not intended to be mean.
“Wart hier, ick komm jleich.”
Conversation Starters
Kannst du bitte hier warten?
Wo soll ich warten?
Warum muss ich hier warten?
Common Mistakes
Warten hier!
Warte hier!
L1 Interference
Warte hier! (to a boss)
Warten Sie bitte hier.
L1 Interference
Warte da!
Warte hier!
L1 Interference
Wartest hier?
Warte hier!
L1 Interference
In Other Languages
Espera aquí
Spanish often omits the subject pronoun, just like German.
Attends ici
The French 'ici' is used exactly like 'hier'.
ここで待って (Koko de matte)
Japanese word order puts the location before the verb.
انتظر هنا (Intazir huna)
German imperative doesn't change for gender, only for number and formality.
在这里等 (Zài zhèlǐ děng)
Chinese has no verb conjugation for the imperative.
여기서 기다려 (Yeogiseo gidaryeo)
Korean has multiple levels of politeness beyond just formal/informal.
Espera aqui
In Brazil, 'Espera' is used almost universally, whereas in Portugal, the formal 'Espere' is more common.
Aspetta qui
Italian is generally more comfortable with the informal imperative in casual public settings than German.
Spotted in the Real World
“Warte hier! Ich bin in 20 Minuten wieder da.”
Manni tells Lola to wait at the corner while he figures out the money situation.
“Warte hier, Jonas.”
Characters frequently use this while exploring the caves.
“Ich warte hier auf dich.”
A common lyric in romantic songs.
Easily Confused
Learners mix up 'hier' (here) and 'dort' (there).
Use 'hier' for the spot you are currently standing in.
'Erwarten' means 'to expect', not 'to wait'.
Never use 'erwarten' as a command to stay put.
Frequently Asked Questions (10)
No, it's very common in spoken German to drop the 'e'.
grammar mechanicsNo, use 'Warten Sie hier' to be respectful.
usage contexts'Hier' is right here; 'da' is over there (but close).
basic understandingUse 'Wartet hier!'
grammar mechanicsOnly if you say it to a stranger or a superior. With friends, it's normal.
cultural usageYou could say 'Warte hier auf mich.'
practical tipsIt's rare in writing unless you are texting a friend.
usage contextsJust saying 'Moment!' works too.
practical tipsYes, usually it implies you are leaving and returning.
basic understandingWarten Sie hier.
grammar mechanics
