Wait a Moment (等 一下)

In this story, you’ll get plenty of practice with the phrase 等 一下 (děng yīxià), which means “wait a moment.” As an HSK 2 student, you’re learning to use everyday phrases in natural conversation, and “等 一下” is a great one to know. It’s polite, simple, and versatile, so you’ll be able to use it in a variety of situations.

In the story, you’ll see how 等 一下 fits into a real-life context, helping you understand when and how to use it with confidence. You’ll also notice that this phrase can add a gentle pause to conversations, making your speech sound more natural. As you read, pay attention to how it’s used, and try to imagine yourself in similar situations. By the end, you’ll be ready to use 等 一下 in your own conversations!

他 在 家 等 我。 {Play}

我 说 等 一下, 我 很 快 来。 {Play}

我 说, 对不起, 等 一下, 我 来 了。 {Play}

我 到 了 以后, 他 看 了 我 一下, 说, “好, 走 吧。” {Play}

我 们 走 了 一下, 他 说, “等 一下, 你 准备 好 了 吗?” {Play}

我 笑 了 一下, 说, “我 准备 好 了。” {Play}

他 对 我 笑 了 一下, 说, “那 我们 走 吧。” {Play}

我 说, “等 一下, 我 没 拿 东西。” {Play}

他 笑 了 一下, 说, “我 和 你 一起 去。” {Play}

我们 一起 走 一下, 说话, 觉得 很 快乐。 {Play}


他 在 家 等 我。   {Play}

tā zài jiā děng wǒ  

He is waiting for me at home.

我 说 等 一下, 我 很 快 来。   {Play}

wǒ shuō děng yīxià, wǒ hěn kuài lái  

I said wait a moment, I’ll come quickly.

我 说, 对不起, 等 一下, 我 来 了。   {Play}

wǒ shuō, duìbuqǐ, děng yīxià, wǒ lái le  

I said, sorry, wait a moment, I’m here now.

我 到 了 以后, 他 看 了 我 一下, 说,”好, 走 吧。”   {Play}

wǒ dào le yǐhòu, tā kàn le wǒ yīxià, shuō, “hǎo, zǒu ba.”  

After I arrived, he looked at me for a moment and said, “Okay, let’s go.”

我 们 走 了 一下, 他 说, “等 一下, 你 准备 好 了 吗?”   {Play}

wǒmen zǒu le yīxià, tā shuō, “děng yīxià, nǐ zhǔnbèi hǎo le ma?”  

We walked for a moment, then he said, “Wait a moment, are you ready?”

我 笑 了 一下, 说, “我 准备 好 了。”   {Play}

wǒ xiào le yīxià, shuō, “wǒ zhǔnbèi hǎo le.”  

I smiled for a moment and said, “I’m ready.”

他 对 我 笑 了 一下, 说,”那 我们 走 吧。”   {Play}

tā duì wǒ xiào le yīxià, shuō, “nà wǒmen zǒu ba.”  

He smiled at me for a moment and said, “Then let’s go.”

我 说, “等 一下, 我 没 拿 东西。”   {Play}

wǒ shuō, “děng yīxià, wǒ méi ná dōngxi.”

I said, “Wait a moment, I didn’t bring something.”

他 笑 了 一下, 说, “我 和 你 一起 去。”   {Play}

tā xiào le yīxià, shuō, “wǒ hé nǐ yīqǐ qù.”  

He smiled for a moment and said, “I’ll go with you.”

我们 一起 走 一下, 说话, 觉得 很 快乐。   {Play}

wǒmen yīqǐ zǒu yīxià, shuōhuà, juéde hěn kuàilè.  

We walked and talked together, feeling very happy.