Make them wait (politely)

1. 1

   ちょっと待ってください

   chotto matte kudasai

   Polite 'please wait a moment.' The standard way to ask someone to hold on in any situation.

   Use when asking someone to hold on, needing a moment to check something, pausing a conversation

   ちょっと待ってください。

   chotto matte kudasai.

   Please wait a moment.

2. 2

   少々お待ちください

   shōshō omachi kudasai

   Very polite 'please wait a moment.' Used by staff in service settings, or when you want to be extra polite. A useful phrase to recognise when you hear it.

   Use when staff asking you to wait, formal phone calls, very polite requests

   少々お待ちください。

   shōshō omachi kudasai.

   Please wait just a moment (formal).

3. 3

   ちょっと…

   chotto...

   Casual 'hang on a sec.' Used with friends. Short and natural.

   Use when asking a friend to wait, pausing mid-conversation, buying a second to think

   ちょっと…

   chotto...

   Hang on a sec...

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