Translation guide
The English phrase "wait upon" has two main uses: (1) serving or attending to someone, often in a formal or service context, and (2) waiting for something to happen, often used in formal or literary English. This guide covers natural Japanese equivalents for each meaning.
To serve or attend to a person, especially in a formal setting like a restaurant, hotel, or as a personal attendant.
The waiter waited upon the guests. · She waited upon the queen.
Used for serving a master, lord, or someone of higher status. Often implies loyalty and long-term service.
To wait for an event, outcome, or result, often with a sense of anticipation or dependency. Common in formal or literary English.
We must wait upon the committee's decision. · Victory waits upon courage.
The most basic and common word for 'wait'. Can be used in most contexts, though it lacks the formal nuance of 'wait upon'.
Do not translate 'wait upon' word-for-word as ～の上で待つ or similar. It will not be understood. Use the appropriate verb or phrase based on the intended meaning.
仕える implies a hierarchical, often long-term service relationship (e.g., to a lord). 給仕する is specifically for serving food/drinks in a hospitality setting.
He served the king for many years.
Specifically refers to waiting tables or serving food and drinks. Common in restaurant contexts.
彼女はレストランで給仕している。
She waits tables at a restaurant.
A softer, more general expression meaning to take care of or attend to someone's needs. Suitable for caregiving or hospitality.
お客様のお世話をします。
I will attend to the guests.
Archaic or literary term for attending on a noble or superior. Rarely used in modern conversation.
女官が女王に侍っていた。
The lady-in-waiting attended the queen.
結果を待っている。
We are waiting upon the results.
Implies waiting in readiness or anticipation, often for something inevitable or important. More literary than 待つ.
運命が彼を待ち受けていた。
Fate waited upon him.
Used in the pattern ～次第である to mean 'depends on' or 'is contingent upon', which can translate 'wait upon' in the sense of being dependent on something.
成功は努力次第です。
Success waits upon effort.