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How to Say ‘You might have to wait a little.’ in Japanese

少しお待ちいただくかもしれません。

sukoshi o machi itadaku ka mo shire mase n

[soo-koh-shee oh machi ee-tah-DAH-koo kah moh shee-REH mah-seh n]

Phrase Breakdown

少しお待ちいただく

sukoshi o machi itadaku

having you wait a little

This is read sukoshi omachi itadaku. It is a humble, polite way to describe the customer waiting.

Example

少しお待ちいただくと思います。

I think you'll have to wait a little.

Words in this phrase

少し

sukoshi

[soo-koh-shee]

a little; a bit

Used to describe a small amount or degree.

Example

少し早く着きました。

I arrived a little early.

お

[oh]

honorific prefix (polite)

Adds politeness/respect. Often used in set polite phrases from staff to parents/students.

Example

どうぞお大事にお過ごしください。

Please take care and rest.

待ち

machi

[machi]

wait

Remain in expectation or anticipation for something.

Example

待っています。

I am waiting.

いただく

itadaku

[ee-tah-DAH-koo]

to receive (humble)

Humble verb for receiving or accepting something.

Example

お土産をいただきました。

I received a souvenir.

かもしれません。

ka mo shire mase n

might

This is read kamo shiremasen and adds polite uncertainty.

Example

遅れるかもしれません。

I might be late.

Words in this phrase

か

[kah]

(part of かもしれない)

Starts かもしれない, 'might'.

Example

雨かもしれません。

It might rain.

も

[moh]

(part of かもしれない)

Second part of かもしれない, 'might'.

Example

遅れるかもしれない。

I might be late.

しれ

shire

[shee-REH]

know (part of かもしれない)

Stem of 知れる; in かもしれない it forms 'might, maybe'.

Example

雨が降るかもしれない。

It might rain.

ませ

mase

[mah-seh]

polite negative (part of ません)

「ませ」 is part of 「ません」, the polite negative form.

Example

はいていません。

I haven’t vomited.

ん

[n]

negative ending

The final sound completing the negative polite form.

Example

一人は魚が食べられません。

One person cannot eat fish.

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