22 Japanese ways to say “Keep waiting”

Waiting can feel like a challenge, but it’s also a moment ripe with opportunity—especially when you know how to say it the right way in Japanese!

Whether you want to ask someone to hold on gently or sound polite in a formal setting, Japanese gives you plenty of ways to express “keep waiting.”

From casual chats with friends to respectful office conversations, these phrases will fit right in.

Let’s dive into 22 warm, friendly, and natural expressions for “keep waiting” that you can start using today.

Learning these not only boosts your language skills but also adds a touch of cultural nuance to your conversations.

Ready? Let’s explore these phrases and find the perfect one for every waiting moment!

Understanding Waiting Expressions in Japanese

Japanese has many ways to ask someone to wait, each carrying a slightly different vibe depending on formality and context.

Some are casual and friendly, perfect for chatting with close friends. Others are polite or formal, great for business or respectful situations.

Knowing which phrase to use helps you sound natural and considerate in every conversation.

Sometimes, using a great beginner phrasebook can give you a perfect starting point for a cohesive understanding.

Picking the right phrase is an easy trick that you can apply right away to sound more natural.

Part 1: Casual Suggestions

1. ちょっと待って (Chotto matte) – “Wait a moment.”

This is the classic casual way to say “wait a second” or “hold on a bit.”

“Chotto” means “a little” or “a bit,” and “matte” is the command form of “matsu” (to wait). It’s perfect for friends or informal situations.

Use it when you want someone to pause briefly without sounding too harsh.

It’s short, sweet, and easy to remember.

Related phrases like ちょっと待ってね (Chotto matte ne) add a softer tone with “ne” making it more friendly.

Try this one first—it’s super common and very versatile!

2. 待っててね (Mattete ne) – “Please keep waiting.”

“Mattete” is the te-form plus “iru” in casual speech, meaning “keep waiting.”

Adding “ne” softens the request, making it feel warm and caring.

This phrase is great when you want to ask someone to wait for you, like when you’re running late.

Be careful not to overuse the command form without softeners in casual speech, as it can sound abrupt.

Example: “ちょっと待っててね！” (Chotto mattete ne!) means “Please wait just a bit!”

This phrase is perfect for close relationships and everyday use.

3. まだ待ってて (Mada mattete) – “Still keep waiting.”

“Mada” means “still” or “yet,” combined with “mattete” (keep waiting), it emphasizes the waiting continues.

Use it casually to remind someone the wait isn’t over yet, but keep it friendly to avoid impatience.

It’s a gentle way to say “please continue waiting.”

Perfect for situations where you need a bit more time.

For example, after a delay: “ごめんね、まだ待っててね。” (Gomen ne, mada mattete ne.) “Sorry, please still wait.”

It shows you care about the other person’s time.

4. 待ってて！ (Mattete!) – “Keep waiting!” (casual)

This is a straightforward casual command to “keep waiting.”

It’s often used among friends or family when you want them to hang tight.

Short and punchy, so make sure your tone is friendly to avoid sounding bossy.

A quick and easy way to tell someone to hold on in casual settings.

Can be softened by adding “ね” (ne) or “よ” (yo) for nuance.

Example: “ちょっと待っててよ！” (Chotto mattete yo!) “Hey, wait just a sec!”

5. ちょっと待っててね (Chotto mattete ne) – “Please wait a moment.”

This phrase combines the casual “chotto” with the polite softener “ne.”

It’s a warm and gentle way to ask someone to wait a little bit.

It strikes a nice balance between casual and polite, so you can use it with acquaintances too.

Great for everyday situations where you want to be considerate.

Example: “今忙しいから、ちょっと待っててね。” (Ima isogashii kara, chotto mattete ne.) “I’m busy right now, so please wait a moment.”

A phrase that feels friendly and respectful.

6. 待っててください (Mattete kudasai) – “Please keep waiting.”

This is the polite form of “keep waiting,” perfect for formal or customer service contexts.

“Kudasai” adds politeness, turning the phrase into a respectful request.

Use this when speaking to strangers, clients, or superiors.

It sounds considerate and professional without being stiff.

Example: “少々お待ちください。” (Shōshō omachi kudasai.) “Please wait a moment.”

Great for polite requests in shops or offices.

7. もう少し待って (Mō sukoshi matte) – “Wait a little longer.”

“Mō sukoshi” means “a little more,” combined with “matte” (wait), it requests a bit more patience.

Useful when you want to gently tell someone the wait isn’t over yet but almost.

It’s polite but casual enough for everyday use.

Example: “もう少し待ってね。” (Mō sukoshi matte ne.) “Please wait just a little longer.”

Helps soften the message when there’s a delay.

A friendly phrase that reassures the other person.

8. 待っててね！(Mattete ne!) – “Please keep waiting!”

Very similar to #2 but with emphasis on the “please” tone using “ne.”

It’s very common in casual conversation but feels polite and warm.

Perfect when talking with friends or family to assure them you’ll be back soon.

Example: “ちょっとだけ待っててね！” (Chotto dake mattete ne!) “Please wait just a little!”

It’s a phrase that carries kindness and reassurance.

Try it when you want to sound caring and natural.

Part 2: Polite & Formal Suggestions

9. 少々お待ちください (Shōshō omachi kudasai) – “Please wait a moment.”

This is a very common, formal way to ask someone to wait politely.

“Shōshō” means “a little,” “omachi” is the respectful noun form of “waiting,” and “kudasai” is “please.”

It’s used in stores, offices, and public announcements.

Perfect for any polite or business situation.

Example: “お電話が混み合っていますので、少々お待ちください。” (Odenwa ga komiatteimasu node, shōshō omachi kudasai.) “The phone lines are busy; please wait a moment.”

It sounds professional and courteous.

10. お待ちいただけますか (O-machi itadakemasu ka) – “Could you please wait?”

This is a very polite, humble way to ask someone to wait.

“O-machi” is the honorific noun form of “wait,” “itadakemasu” is a humble verb form meaning “can receive,” combined as a question it’s “could you please wait?”

It’s perfect for formal emails or meetings.

Example: “少々お待ちいただけますか？” (Shōshō omachi itadakemasu ka?) “Would you mind waiting a moment?”

It shows high respect and consideration.

Use it with clients or seniors to sound very polite.

11. お待ちくださいませ (O-machi kudasaimase) – “Please wait” (very polite)

This is a formal, very polite version of “please wait.”

“Kudasaimase” is a more respectful form of “kudasai.”

Heard in high-end service environments like hotels or fancy restaurants.

Example: “只今混み合っておりますので、お待ちくださいませ。” (Tadaima komiatte orimasu node, omachi kudasaimase.) “We are busy at the moment, so please wait.”

It conveys utmost respect and professionalism.

Use it to impress or in serious customer service situations.

12. もう少々お待ち下さい (Mō shōshō omachi kudasai) – “Please wait a little longer.”

This is a polite way to say “please wait a bit longer.”

“Mō” means “already” or “more,” and “shōshō” means “a little,” combined with the polite request.

Good for customer-facing scenarios where there’s a delay.

Example: “商品の準備にもう少々お待ち下さい。” (Shōhin no junbi ni mō shōshō omachi kudasai.) “Please wait a little longer while we prepare your item.”

It sounds professional and courteous.

Use it when you want to be especially considerate.

13. お時間をいただけますか (O-jikan o itadakemasu ka) – “May I take some of your time?”

This phrase is a polite way to ask someone to wait or spare some time.

It literally means “may I receive your time,” a humble and respectful expression.

Usually used before asking for patience or attention.

Example: “少しお時間をいただけますか？” (Sukoshi o-jikan o itadakemasu ka?) “Could I have a moment of your time?”

It’s useful in formal conversations or business settings.

Softens the request and shows respect for the other person’s time.

14. お待ちいただきありがとうございます (O-machi itadaki arigatō gozaimasu) – “Thank you for waiting.”

This phrase is a polite way to thank someone for waiting patiently.

“Itadaki” is humble, and “arigatō gozaimasu” is formal thanks.

Great to use when the wait is over and you want to show gratitude.

Example: “お待ちいただきありがとうございます。” (O-machi itadaki arigatō gozaimasu.) “Thank you for waiting.”

Shows good manners and professionalism.

Perfect for customer service or formal emails.

15. もう少々お待ちいただけますでしょうか (Mō shōshō omachi itadakemasu deshō ka) – “Could you please wait a little longer?”

This is an ultra-polite and formal way to ask for more waiting time.

It’s often used in written communication or very formal meetings.

“Deshō ka” adds a question tone that’s very polite.

Example: “もう少々お待ちいただけますでしょうか？” (Mō shōshō omachi itadakemasu deshō ka?) “Would you mind waiting a little longer?”

Very respectful and soft, ideal for delicate situations.

Use it when you want to be very courteous and professional.

16. 少々お時間を頂戴できますか (Shōshō ojikan o chōdai dekimasu ka) – “May I take a moment of your time?”

Another polite way to ask for someone’s time or patience.

“Chōdai” is a humble way to say “receive.”

Useful for formal requests or when you want to sound very respectful.

Example: “少々お時間を頂戴できますか？” (Shōshō ojikan o chōdai dekimasu ka?) “Could I have a moment of your time?”

It’s a phrase that shows humility and politeness.

Great for important conversations or customer interactions.

Part 3: Very Casual / Native-like Expressions

17. ちょっと待っててよ (Chotto mattete yo) – “Wait a sec, okay?”

This phrase adds “yo” to emphasize the request in a casual, friendly way.

It’s very natural among close friends or siblings.

“Chotto” means “a little,” “mattete” is “keep waiting,” and “yo” adds a casual emphasis.

Example: “ちょっと待っててよ！” (Chotto mattete yo!) “Hey, wait a sec, will ya?”

It sounds playful and informal.

Use it when you want to be relaxed and natural.

18. まだ待っててよ (Mada mattete yo) – “Keep waiting, okay?”

“Mada” means “still,” so this phrase asks someone to keep waiting a bit longer.

Adding “yo” makes it sound casual and slightly insistent but friendly.

Great for informal chats when you want to keep the mood light.

Example: “ちょっとまだ待っててよ！” (Chotto mada mattete yo!) “Hey, wait just a little longer, okay?”

It’s a warm and native-sounding phrase.

Perfect for everyday life with friends or family.

19. しばらく待ってて (Shibaraku mattete) – “Wait for a while.”

“Shibaraku” means “a little while” or “for some time.”

Combined with “mattete,” it tells someone to wait for a period, not just a moment.

It’s casual yet clear and natural.

Example: “ちょっとしばらく待っててね。” (Chotto shibaraku mattete ne.) “Please wait for a little while.”

Good for situations where the wait might be a bit longer but still friendly.

Use it when you want to sound native and kind.

20. 待っててくれる？ (Mattete kureru?) – “Can you wait for me?”

This is a casual, somewhat intimate way to ask if someone can wait.

“Kureru” implies doing something for the speaker, making it feel personal.

Use it with close friends or family.

Example: “ちょっと待っててくれる？” (Chotto mattete kureru?) “Can you wait for me a bit?”

It sounds warm and natural.

Great for everyday friendly conversations.

21. 待っててよね (Mattete yo ne) – “You better wait, okay?”

This adds both “yo” and “ne” for a playful yet casual request.

Sounds very native and friendly, often used teasingly.

Example: “ちゃんと待っててよね！” (Chanto mattete yo ne!) “Make sure you wait, okay?”

Perfect for close relationships and joking around.

It lightens the mood while still making the request clear.

A fun way to ask someone to keep waiting.

22. 待っててくんない？ (Mattete kun nai?) – “Won’t you wait for me?” (very casual)

This is a very informal, slangy way to ask someone to wait.

“Kun nai” is a contraction of “kurenai,” which softens the question.

Use it only with close friends or people your age.

Example: “ちょっと待っててくんない？” (Chotto mattete kun nai?) “Won’t you wait for me a bit?”

It’s very casual and friendly but shouldn’t be used in polite settings.

Perfect for relaxed, native-like conversations.

Concluding Thought

Mastering different ways to say “keep waiting” in Japanese opens up many possibilities for friendly, polite, and natural communication.

Whether you’re chilling with friends or navigating formal situations, the right phrase makes all the difference.

Keep practicing these expressions, and you’ll find yourself sounding more fluent and culturally in tune every day. Happy waiting—and speaking!