How common it is
等 appears often in everyday Chinese, so it is worth practicing early and reviewing often.
Guest access
Guests can browse all words. Sign in or create an account to save progress and unlock more practice.
Pronunciation focus
Say děng slowly first, then repeat it in a short phrase. Listen for the tone shape.
Usage note
等是表示等待的意思。可以用来告诉别人你还要等等，或者让别人稍等一下。
děng shì bǎo shí děng dài de yì sī, kě yǐ lái gào su bā rén ná hái yào děng děng, huò zhě ràng bā rén shāo děng yī xià.
等 means waiting. You can use it to tell someone you still need to wait or ask them to wait a moment.
Context note
等常用于日常生活中的等待场景，比如等人、排队等候或者交通信号灯。
děng cháng yòng yú rì kāi shēn qíng zhōng de děng dài jiàng chéng, bǐ 如 人、pái duì děng hòu děi 或 者 jiāo tōng xìn xiāo dēng.
等 is commonly used in daily life situations where waiting occurs, such as waiting for someone, queuing up, or traffic lights.
5 examples
我等一下再给你打电话。
wǒ děng yí xià zài gěi nǐ dǎ diàn huà。
I will call you back in a moment.
请稍等，我马上就好。
qǐng shāo děng， wǒ mǎ shàng jiù hǎo。
Please wait a moment, I'll be right back.
我们等公交车。
wǒ men děng gōng jiāo chē。
We are waiting for the bus.
你等我一下。
nǐ děng wǒ yí xià。
Wait for me a moment.
请等绿灯亮了再过马路。
qǐng děng lǜ dēng liàng le zài guò mǎ lù。
Please wait until the green light is on before crossing the road.
5 mini stories
妈妈说等爸爸下班了再做饭。
mā ma shuō děng bà ba xià bān le zài zuò fàn。
Mom said to wait until Dad gets home from work before cooking.
我们等绿灯亮了再过马路。
wǒ men děng lǜ dēng liàng le zài guò mǎ lù。
We waited for the green light to cross the road.
老师说等下课了再出去玩。
lǎo shī shuō děng xià kè le zài chū qù wán。
The teacher said to wait until after class before going out to play.
我们等公交车来了再上车。
wǒ men děng gōng jiāo chē lái le zài shàng chē。
We waited for the bus to arrive before getting on.
妈妈说等爸爸下班了再做饭。
mā ma shuō děng bà ba xià bān le zài zuò fàn。
Mom said to wait until Dad gets home from work before cooking.