How to Say ‘Please wait a moment.’ in Japanese
少々お待ちください。
shoushou o machi kudasai
[shoh-shoh oh machi kudasai]
💬 Usage Tip: 少々 (shōshō) is a polite word for "a little", and it has two long vowels, so hold each (shō).
Phrase Breakdown
少々
shoushou
[shoh-shoh]
a moment; a little
A polite word meaning 'a moment,' often used when asking someone to wait.
少々お待ちください。
Please wait a moment.
お待ちください。
o machi kudasai
please wait
A polite form of 待つ (wait). Say 'o-ma-chi-ku-da-sai'.
こちらでお待ちください。
Please wait here.
Words in this phrase
お
o
[oh]
honorific prefix
お adds politeness to certain words and expressions.
チケットを二枚お願いします。
Two tickets, please.
待ち
machi
[machi]
wait
Remain in expectation or anticipation for something.
待っています。
I am waiting.
ください
kudasai
[kudasai]
please (do)
Used to make a polite request.
手伝ってください。
Please help me.
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