How to Say ‘Waiting’ in Japanese
待って
matsu te
[maht teh]
💬 Usage Tip: [待って] is the [て] form of [待つ]. In phrases like [お待ちしております], this [て] links to the next verb; you'll also see the same pattern in [座ってください] and [少々お待ちください].
Phrase Breakdown
待っ
matsu
[maht]
wait
The stem of 待つ, meaning to wait. In reservations, it appears in polite requests like please wait.
少々待ってください。
Please wait a moment.
て
te
[teh]
and / te-form ending
The て ending completes the te-form, used for requests or linking actions. Here it helps form 待って.
こちらで待ってください。
Please wait here.
Get the Full Learning Experience
This lesson is just a preview. Download PrettyFluent to practice pronunciation, roleplay conversations, and master vocabulary with spaced repetition.
Pronunciation Feedback
AI-powered speech recognition to perfect your accent
Spaced Repetition
Retain vocabulary long-term with smart practice
Immersive Roleplaying
Practice real conversations with AI partners
Custom Scenarios
Request lessons tailored to your specific needs
What Learners Are Saying
“Teaching in Osaka and I wanted to connect with my students beyond the classroom. The everyday conversation scenarios made my Japanese feel natural, not textbook-y.”
Mia S., 25, English Teacher
“Moved to Tokyo and the polite vs. casual speech levels were killing me. This app breaks it all down with real scenarios. My coworkers noticed the difference in weeks.”
Kevin Z., 31, Game Developer
“I tried five different apps before this one. The roleplay conversations are what finally made things click. I actually remember what I learn now.”
Sofia R., 31, Marketing Manager