请稍等
qǐng shāo děng
One moment, please · trad. 請稍等
请稍等 (Qǐng shāo děng) is a polite and common service phrase meaning 'one moment, please.' It's used to ask someone to wait briefly before you take an action or provide service, serving as a polite pause.
What does 请稍等 (qǐng shāo děng) mean?
请稍等 (qǐng shāo děng) means “one moment, please” in English. Word for word, it breaks down as “please a little wait.”
When to use it
Polite and neutral. It's appropriate in almost any service setting. A more casual way to ask someone to wait is 等一下 (děng yíxià). When someone says this to you, you can simply nod or say 好的 (hǎo de), “okay.”
How to pronounce it
Sounds like “ching shao DUNG.” The first syllable is a rising tone, the second a flat tone, and the third a falling tone.
Other ways to say it
- 等一下děng yīxiàwait a moment (more casual)
- 请等一下qǐng děng yīxiàplease wait a moment (also polite)
Examples
请稍等，我马上回来。
qǐng shāo děng, wǒ mǎshàng huílái.
One moment, please, I'll be right back.
您好，请稍等，我帮您查一下。
nínhǎo, qǐng shāo děng, wǒ bāng nín chá yīxià.
Hello, one moment, please, I'll help you check.
请稍等，您的咖啡马上就好。
qǐng shāo děng, nín de kāfēi mǎshàng jiù hǎo.
One moment, please, your coffee will be ready soon.
Pro tip: 请稍等 is versatile; use it when you need a brief pause before assisting someone, like finding an item or checking information.
Related phrases
欢迎光临 · Welcome (to our store or restaurant)让您久等了 · Sorry to keep you waiting请这边走 · This way, please
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