Show pageOld revisionsBacklinksBack to top This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong. ====== shāo děng: 稍等 - Wait a moment, Hold on ====== ===== Quick Summary ===== * **Keywords:** shao deng, shāo děng, 稍等, wait a moment in Chinese, hold on in Chinese, how to say wait in Chinese, Chinese for just a second, polite Chinese phrases, HSK 3 vocabulary * **Summary:** Learn how to use "稍等" (shāo děng), the essential and polite Chinese phrase for "wait a moment" or "hold on." This guide breaks down its meaning, cultural context, and practical use in everyday conversations, from phone calls to restaurants. Discover why it's more polite than just saying "等" (děng) and see 10 real-world example sentences to master this crucial piece of conversational Chinese. ===== Core Meaning ===== * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** shāo děng * **Part of Speech:** Verb Phrase * **HSK Level:** HSK 3 * **Concise Definition:** To wait for a short while; hold on a moment. * **In a Nutshell:** "稍等" (shāo děng) is your go-to, polite phrase for asking someone to wait for a brief period. It's the standard way to say "just a moment," "one second," or "please hold." The word "稍" (shāo) softens the command "等" (děng - to wait), turning it from a blunt order into a considerate request. It's universally understood and appropriate in almost any situation, whether formal or informal. ===== Character Breakdown ===== * **稍 (shāo):** This character means "slightly," "a little," or "a bit." It acts as an adverb to moderate the following verb, indicating a small degree or a short duration. Think of it as the "a moment" part of "wait a moment." * **等 (děng):** This is the core verb meaning "to wait" or "to await." * When combined, **稍等 (shāo děng)** literally translates to "wait slightly" or "wait a little." This combination elegantly captures the intended meaning of asking someone to wait for a short, unspecified amount of time in a polite manner. ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== * In Chinese culture, directness can sometimes be interpreted as abruptness or a lack of respect. Simply telling someone "等!" (Děng! - Wait!) can sound like an impatient command, especially when directed at a stranger, customer, or elder. * Using **稍等 (shāo děng)** is a simple but important social lubricant. The inclusion of "稍 (shāo)" demonstrates consideration for the other person's time and a desire to maintain a smooth, harmonious interaction. It's a small linguistic choice that upholds politeness and mutual respect. * Compared to American/Western culture, the function is similar to saying "Just a second" or "Hold on, please." However, the use of `稍等` is arguably more consistent and expected in service interactions in China. A bank teller, a receptionist, or a shopkeeper will almost invariably use `请稍等 (qǐng shāo děng)` or `您稍等 (nín shāo děng)` before turning their attention away, reinforcing a baseline of professional courtesy. ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== * **稍等 (shāo děng)** is extremely versatile and used constantly in modern life. * **On the Phone:** It's the standard phrase for "Please hold" or "One moment, please." * //"你好，请问王经理在吗？" "请**稍等**，我帮您看一下。"// (Hello, is Manager Wang there? "Please hold on, I'll check for you.") * **Service Encounters:** Used by staff in restaurants, hotels, banks, and shops when they need a moment to fulfill a request. * //"服务员，买单！" "好的，请**稍等**。"// (Waiter, the bill! "Okay, just a moment, please.") * **Informal Conversations:** Used between friends and family. It's polite but not overly formal. * //"我们走吧！" "**稍等**，我拿一下钥匙。"// (Let's go! "Wait a sec, let me grab my keys.") * **Formality:** The phrase itself is neutral. It can be made more polite by adding `请 (qǐng)` for "please" or `您 (nín)` for the formal "you." * **Standard:** 稍等 (shāo děng) * **Polite:** 请稍等 (qǐng shāo děng) * **Very Polite/Respectful:** 您请稍等 (nín qǐng shāo děng) ===== Example Sentences ===== * **Example 1:** (As a standalone response) * A: 你能帮我一下吗？ (Nǐ néng bāng wǒ yīxià ma?) - Can you help me for a second? * B: **稍等**。 (Shāo děng.) - One moment. * Analysis: A simple, direct, and polite way to acknowledge a request while indicating you need a second before you can help. * **Example 2:** (On the phone) * 请**稍等**，我给您转接人事部。 * Pinyin: Qǐng **shāo děng**, wǒ gěi nín zhuǎnjiē rénshì bù. * English: Please hold on, I will transfer you to the HR department. * Analysis: This is standard, professional phone etiquette in a business context. `请 (qǐng)` makes it very polite. * **Example 3:** (At a restaurant) * 服务员：好的，您点的菜马上就来，请**稍等**。 * Pinyin: Fúwùyuán: Hǎo de, nín diǎn de cài mǎshàng jiù lái, qǐng **shāo děng**. * English: Waiter: Okay, the dishes you ordered will be right out, please wait a moment. * Analysis: Used here to manage customer expectations and be polite while they wait for their food. * **Example 4:** (With a friend) * 你**稍等**一下，我穿上外套就走。 * Pinyin: Nǐ **shāo děng** yīxià, wǒ chuānshàng wàitào jiù zǒu. * English: Wait for me a second, I'll just put on my coat and then we can go. * Analysis: Here, `一下 (yīxià)` is added, which is very common in spoken Chinese and makes the phrase sound a little more casual. `稍等` and `等一下` are often used together or interchangeably. * **Example 5:** (At a reception desk) * A: 你好，我跟李总有预约。 * B: 好的，您请**稍等**，我通知一下他。 * Pinyin: A: Nǐ hǎo, wǒ gēn Lǐ zǒng yǒu yùyuē. B: Hǎo de, nín qǐng **shāo děng**, wǒ tōngzhī yīxià tā. * English: A: Hello, I have an appointment with Director Li. B: Okay, please wait a moment, I will inform him. * Analysis: Using `您请稍等 (nín qǐng shāo děng)` is very respectful and appropriate for addressing a guest or client. * **Example 6:** (A teacher to a student) * 同学们请**稍等**，老师把这个文件打印出来。 * Pinyin: Tóngxuémen qǐng **shāo děng**, lǎoshī bǎ zhège wénjiàn dǎyìn chūlái. * English: Students, please wait a moment while the teacher prints out this document. * Analysis: A polite and clear instruction in a classroom setting. * **Example 7:** (When looking for something on a computer) * 这个文件在哪儿呢……你**稍等**，我找一下。 * Pinyin: Zhège wénjiàn zài nǎ'er ne... nǐ **shāo děng**, wǒ zhǎo yīxià. * English: Where is this file... wait a moment, let me find it. * Analysis: A very natural phrase to use when you're momentarily distracted by a task. * **Example 8:** (In a shop) * 这件衣服有大一号的吗？**稍等**，我帮您去仓库看看。 * Pinyin: Zhè jiàn yīfú yǒu dà yī hào de ma? **Shāo děng**, wǒ bāng nín qù cāngkù kànkan. * English: Do you have this shirt in a larger size? One moment, I'll go check the stockroom for you. * Analysis: Standard polite language for a salesperson assisting a customer. * **Example 9:** (In an online chat) * **稍等**，我这边网络有点卡。 * Pinyin: **Shāo děng**, wǒ zhèbiān wǎngluò yǒudiǎn kǎ. * English: Hold on, my internet connection is a bit laggy. * Analysis: `稍等` works just as well in written text and online communication as it does in speech. * **Example 10:** (Asking for confirmation) * 您是说下周三对吗？请**稍等**，我确认一下我的日程。 * Pinyin: Nín shì shuō xià zhōusān duì ma? Qǐng **shāo děng**, wǒ quèrèn yīxià wǒ de rìchéng. * English: You said next Wednesday, correct? Please wait a moment, let me confirm my schedule. * Analysis: A polite way to pause a conversation to check information, showing you are taking the other person's request seriously. ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== * **Common Mistake: Using "等 (děng)" alone.** * **Incorrect:** (A friend asks for help) B: 等！ (Děng!) * **Why it's wrong:** Saying just "等!" sounds like an abrupt, impatient command, like barking "Wait!" in English. It can be perceived as rude unless you are in a great hurry or have a very close relationship where such bluntness is normal. * **Correct:** 稍等。 (Shāo děng.) or 等一下。 (Děng yīxià.) * **Nuance: "稍等 (shāo děng)" vs. "等一下 (děng yīxià)"** * These two phrases are largely interchangeable and mean the same thing. However, there's a slight difference in feel: * **稍等 (shāo děng)** often sounds a bit more concise and can feel slightly more formal or professional. It is very common in service industries and business contexts (e.g., `请稍等`). * **等一下 (děng yīxià)** is extremely common in colloquial, everyday speech among friends, family, and peers. It's friendly and casual. * You won't make a major mistake by swapping them, but choosing `稍等` for more formal or service-oriented situations is a good habit. ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== * [[等一下]] (děng yīxià) - A very common and slightly more colloquial synonym for "wait a moment." Often used interchangeably with `稍等`. * [[请]] (qǐng) - "Please." Frequently added before `稍等` to make it more formal and polite, creating [[请稍等]] (qǐng shāo děng). * [[等一等]] (děng yī děng) - "Wait, wait." Another colloquial way to ask someone to wait, often used to get someone's attention quickly or to pause an action. * [[马上]] (mǎshàng) - "Immediately" or "right away." Often paired with `稍等` to reassure the person that the wait will be very short (e.g., `请稍等，我马上来` - "Please wait a moment, I'll be right there."). * [[稍后]] (shāohòu) - "A little later." This is more formal than `稍等` and usually implies a longer, but still relatively short, waiting period. Common in formal notices or automated messages (e.g., `我们稍后会与您联系` - "We will contact you later."). * [[等]] (děng) - The basic verb "to wait." It's the root of all these phrases. * [[别急]] (bié jí) - "Don't worry," "Don't be anxious," or "Take your time." A phrase used to calm someone who is waiting impatiently.