3 ways to say "Please wait"

1. 1

   ちょっと待って

   chotto matte

   Casual 'wait a sec.' Natural between friends. Short and easy to remember.

   Use when asking a friend to hold on, quick pause in conversation, casual settings

   ちょっと待って！

   chotto matte!

   Wait a sec!

2. 2

   ちょっと待ってください

   chotto matte kudasai

   Polite 'please wait a moment.' Safe for any situation, strangers, staff, colleagues. Your default.

   Use when asking anyone politely to wait, service situations, work, strangers

   ちょっと待ってください。

   chotto matte kudasai.

   Please wait a moment.

3. 3

   少々お待ちください

   shōshō omachi kudasai

   Formal 'please wait a moment.' Used by service staff, or when you want to sound extra polite. Good to recognise when you hear it.

   Use when formal situations, staff to customer, phone calls, very polite requests

   少々お待ちください。

   shōshō omachi kudasai.

   Please wait just a moment (formal).

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