Meaning of 等待
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- to wait; to wait for
How to use 等待
等待 is more formal and written than plain 等 (děng). It often takes an abstract object like a chance, a result, or news. Example: 我们在等待结果。(Wǒmen zài děngdài jiéguǒ.) We are waiting for the results.
Both characters mean wait, so 等待 (děngdài) is wait plus wait. Picture yourself waiting twice as long, which fits the slightly formal, patient feel of this word.
Common mistake: Learners often use 等待 in casual speech, like 等待我一下, where a native speaker would simply say 等我一下 (děng wǒ yíxià). Also keep the second syllable in fourth tone: dài, not dāi.
等待 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
等 děng · to wait for · 12 strokes
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待 dāi · to stay · 9 strokes
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Related words
Words that share a character with 等待.
| 等到 | děngdào | to wait until; by the time when (sth is ready etc) |
| 等于 | děngyú | to equal; to be tantamount to |
| 平等 | píngděng | equal; equality |
| 对待 | duìdài | to treat; treatment |
| 接待 | jiēdài | to receive; to entertain; to host (guests, visitors or clients) |
| 期待 | qīdài | to look forward to; to await |
| 待遇 | dàiyù | treatment; pay |
| 等候 | děnghòu | to wait; to wait for |
| 看待 | kàndài | to look upon; to regard |
| 等级 | děngjí | grade; rank |
| 相等 | xiāngděng | equal; equally |
| 待会儿 | dāihuìr | in a moment; later |
Questions about 等待
What does 等待 mean?
等待 (děngdài) means "to wait; to wait for" and is used as a verb.
How do you write 等待?
等待 is made of 2 characters: 等 (12 strokes), 待 (9 strokes). That is 21 strokes in total.
Is 等待 an HSK word?
Yes. 等待 is on the HSK 3 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
What is the difference between 等待 and 期待?
等待 (děngdài) is neutral and just means to wait. 期待 (qīdài) adds hope or excitement, like looking forward to something good.
Can 等待 be used as a noun?
Yes. It can mean the act of waiting, as in 漫长的等待 (màncháng de děngdài), a long wait.