A2 Expression Neutral

等待

1001

Wait

Phrase in 30 Seconds

Use {等待|děngdài} to describe the act of staying in one place or delaying action until a specific event occurs.

  • Means: To wait for someone or something.
  • Used in: Appointments, public transport, or waiting for a person.
  • Don't confuse: {等待|děngdài} (formal) with {等|děng} (informal).
Clock + Person standing still = {等待|děngdài}

Explanation at your level:

This word means to stay in one place until something happens. We use it when we are at the bus stop or waiting for a friend.
As an A2 learner, you use {等待|děngdài} to describe waiting for appointments or results. It is a bit more formal than just saying '等'.
At this level, you recognize {等待|děngdài} as a standard verb for both physical presence and abstract anticipation, such as waiting for an opportunity or a change in circumstances.
Advanced learners utilize {等待|děngdài} in professional correspondence and formal discourse to convey patience and expectation, distinguishing it from the colloquial '等'.
In C1, we analyze {等待|děngdài} through its collocations with abstract nouns, exploring how it functions within the semantic field of time management and social etiquette in Chinese society.
At the mastery level, {等待|děngdài} is examined as a linguistic marker of cultural patience, contrasting its usage in high-context communication versus low-context Western equivalents.

Meaning

To remain in one place or be inactive until something happens.

🌍

Cultural Background

Waiting is a social norm in queues.

💡

Register matters

Don't use it with friends.

Meaning

To remain in one place or be inactive until something happens.

💡

Register matters

Don't use it with friends.

Test Yourself

Fill in the blank.

请在此处______。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 等待

It is a sign asking people to wait.

🎉 Score: /1

Visual Learning Aids

Frequently Asked Questions

1 questions

Yes, but it's formal.

Related Phrases

🔗

等一下

similar

Wait a moment

Where to Use It

🏦

At the bank

Staff: 请您稍作{等待|děngdài}。

formal

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Deng' (wait) and 'Dai' (stay). You wait by staying.

Visual Association

A person standing at a train station with a clock above their head.

Story

Xiao Ming is at the airport. He is {等待|děngdài} his flight. He checks his watch. He is patient.

Word Web

时间耐心结果机会车站回复

Challenge

Write three sentences using {等待|děngdài} in different contexts.

In Other Languages

Spanish high

Esperar

Esperar also means 'to hope', while {等待|děngdài} is strictly about time/waiting.

French high

Attendre

Attendre is used in all registers; {等待|děngdài} is register-sensitive.

German high

Warten

German uses 'auf' + accusative; Chinese is direct.

Japanese high

待つ (matsu)

Japanese has complex honorific forms (keigo) for waiting.

Arabic high

انتظار (intizar)

Arabic uses a noun-based structure often.

Chinese high

等候

Register difference.

Korean high

기다리다 (gidarida)

Korean verb endings change based on politeness levels.

Portuguese high

Esperar

Contextual usage is similar.

Easily Confused

等待 vs 等

Register difference.

Use {等待|děngdài} for formal, {等|děng} for casual.

FAQ (1)

Yes, but it's formal.

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