Translation guide
The English phrase 'wait for' is used to express awaiting someone or something, or delaying action until a condition is met. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is 待つ (matsu), but the exact expression depends on what is being waited for and the level of politeness. This guide covers natural ways to express 'wait for' in various contexts.
To express that someone is waiting for a specific person, object, or occurrence.
The most common and versatile verb for 'wait for'. The object being waited for is marked with を.
I'm waiting for a friend.
バスを待った。
I waited for the bus.
Honorific form of 待つ, used when the person waiting is someone you respect.
社長はロビーでお待ちになっています。
The company president is waiting in the lobby.
Specifically means 'to arrange to meet' or 'to wait for each other at a meeting point'. Used when people plan to meet up.
駅で待ち合わせましょう。
Let's meet at the station.
To express waiting until something happens or a state is reached.
Pattern: verb (dictionary form) + のを待つ. Used to say 'wait for (someone/something) to do something'.
彼が来るのを待っています。
I'm waiting for him to come.
雨がやむのを待った。
I waited for the rain to stop.
Pattern: time/event + まで待つ. Means 'wait until (a specific time or event)'.
５時まで待ちます。
I'll wait until 5 o'clock.
彼が戻るまで待ってください。
Please wait until he returns.
Formal term meaning 'to stand by' or 'to be on standby'. Used in technical, military, or business contexts.
指示があるまで待機してください。
Please stand by until you receive instructions.
To express waiting in line or for one's chance.
Literally 'wait for one's turn'. The most natural way to say 'wait in line' or 'wait for one's turn'.
順番を待っている人がたくさんいます。
There are many people waiting for their turn.
Means 'to wait in line'. Emphasizes the physical act of lining up.
チケットを買うために列に並んで待った。
I waited in line to buy a ticket.
To express delaying an action or decision.
Means 'to put off until later' or 'to postpone'. Often used when prioritizing other tasks.
その問題は後回しにしましょう。
Let's put that problem off for now.
Idiomatic phrase meaning 'to call a halt' or 'to put a stop to something temporarily'. Used when someone wants to pause a process.
彼が計画に待ったをかけた。
He put a hold on the plan.
English speakers sometimes try to use ために (tame ni) to mean 'for the purpose of waiting', but this is incorrect. ために expresses purpose or benefit, not the object of waiting. Use を待つ instead.
友達を待つ
wait for a friend
待つ is general 'wait for'. 待ち合わせる specifically means 'to meet up by arrangement'. Use 待ち合わせる when you have a planned meeting time and place.
駅で友達と待ち合わせた。
I met up with a friend at the station.