In this workshop, you will practice asking someone to wait in Japanese. You will hear both casual and polite requests, learn what each one means, and then use them in short role-plays. The recordings give you native models for a friend, a colleague, and a customer service situation. You will also practice understanding a reply and choosing the right phrase for the right person. By the end, you should feel more confident using these requests in everyday conversations.
Casual Requests with a Friend
When you talk to a close friend or family member, you can use a short, casual request. The recording «ちょっと待って。» means 'Wait a moment.' It is friendly and direct. If you want to get your friend's attention first, you can say «ねえ、ちょっと待って。», which means 'Hey, wait a moment.' The word at the beginning is like 'hey' in English. A common reply is «うん、いいよ。», which means 'Sure, okay.' Notice that the casual request does not use 'please' or a polite ending. It is fine with someone you know well, but it may sound too direct with a stranger or a boss.
Polite Requests for Colleagues and Strangers
When you speak to a colleague, an acquaintance, or someone you have just met, use a polite request. The recording «ちょっと待ってください。» means 'Please wait a moment.' Adding the polite ending makes it suitable for many everyday situations. For a slightly softer request, you can use «すみません、ちょっと待ってもらえますか。», which means 'Excuse me, could you wait a moment?' This pattern asks whether the listener can do the favor, so it sounds less direct. A common polite reply is «はい、大丈夫ですよ。», which means 'Yes, that's fine.' You can use these phrases in shops, offices, or when asking a stranger for help.
Formal Requests in Customer Service
In a business or customer service setting, you may hear a more formal request. The recording «少々お待ちください。» means 'Please wait a moment.' It is very polite and often used by staff speaking to customers. In a longer announcement, you might hear «少々お待ちください。担当者が参ります。», which means 'Please wait a moment. The person in charge will come.' This is a typical phrase in a store or office. A customer might reply with «わかりました。お願いします。», which means 'Understood. Thank you.' These formal phrases show respect and are useful when you want to sound professional.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
ちょっと待って。
Wait a moment.
chotto matte
ちょっと待ってください。
Please wait a moment.
chotto matte kudasai
少々お待ちください。
Please wait a moment.
shōshō omachi kudasai
すみません、ちょっと待ってもらえますか。
Excuse me, could you wait a moment?
sumimasen, chotto matte moraemasu ka
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
ねえ、ちょっと待って。
Hey, wait a moment.うん、いいよ。
Sure, okay.すみません、ちょっと待ってもらえますか。
Excuse me, could you wait a moment?はい、大丈夫ですよ。
Yes, that's fine.少々お待ちください。担当者が参ります。
Please wait a moment. The person in charge will come.わかりました。お願いします。
Understood. Thank you.Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Guided Exchange: Friend Asking to Wait
Imagine you are talking to a close friend. You need them to wait for a moment. Your friend will reply.
Your task: First, listen to «ねえ、ちょっと待って。» and repeat it aloud. Then, play the role of the speaker. Say the line from «ねえ、ちょっと待って。» to your friend. After that, listen to «うん、いいよ。» and repeat it. Finally, switch roles: your friend says «ねえ、ちょっと待って。» and you reply with «うん、いいよ。».
Reply Comprehension: Polite Request at Work
Imagine a colleague asks you to wait. You need to understand their request and give a polite reply.
Your task: Listen to «すみません、ちょっと待ってもらえますか。». What does the speaker want? Choose the correct meaning: (a) They want you to come quickly. (b) They want you to wait a moment. (c) They want you to leave. Then, listen to «はい、大丈夫ですよ。» and repeat it as your reply. Finally, say the request from «すみません、ちょっと待ってもらえますか。» yourself and then answer with «はい、大丈夫ですよ。».
Recall and Role-Play: Customer Service Scene
Imagine you are a customer in a store. A staff member asks you to wait. You need to understand and respond.
Your task: Listen to «少々お待ちください。担当者が参ります。». What is the staff member asking? After you understand, play the customer. Reply with the line from «わかりました。お願いします。». Then switch roles: you are the staff member. Say the line from «少々お待ちください。担当者が参ります。» to the customer. Finally, say the customer's reply from «わかりました。お願いします。».
Common questions
When should I use the casual request instead of the polite one?
Use the casual request from «ちょっと待って。» with close friends or family. Use the polite request from «ちょっと待ってください。» with colleagues, acquaintances, or strangers. If you are unsure, the polite form is safer in most situations.
What does the formal request from «少々お待ちください。» mean, and when do I hear it?
The formal request «少々お待ちください。» means 'Please wait a moment.' You often hear it in customer service, announcements, or when speaking to a superior at work. It is more formal than «ちょっと待ってください。» and shows respect.
Sources and further reading
- japanese: polite and casual requestsChecked September 2026
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