待
wait, depend on
Readings
On'yomi
- タイ
Kun'yomi
- ま.つ
- -ま.ち
Nanori
- まち
- まつ
Meaning
待 centers on staying in place or remaining in a state until something happens: waiting, or relying on someone or something to act.
Most common words using 待
24 of 219- 待つまつN5
to wait
- 期待きたいN3
expectation; anticipation; hope
- 待ちまち
waiting; waiting time
- 招待しょうたいN4
invitation
- 待機たいきN1
standing by; awaiting an opportunity; being on alert
- 虐待ぎゃくたい
abuse; ill-treatment; maltreatment; mistreatment; cruelty
- 待遇たいぐうN1
treatment; reception; service
- 待ち合わせまちあわせN3
appointment
- 接待せったいN1
entertainment (of guests; esp. in the corporate world); treating (to food and drinks); wining and dining
- 待望たいぼうN1
waiting expectantly; waiting eagerly; looking forward to
- 待ち遠しいまちどおしいN1
longed-for; anxiously awaited
- 待合室まちあいしつN2
waiting room
- 待たすまたす
to keep (a person) waiting
- 待ち伏せまちぶせN1
ambush; lying in wait for an ambush
- 心待ちこころまち
anticipation; expectation
- 待ち受けるまちうけるN1
to await; to wait for; to expect
- 歓待かんたい
warm welcome; friendly reception; hospitality; entertainment
- 待合まちあい
rendezvous; meeting; assignation
- 待ち構えるまちかまえるN1
to lie in wait (for); to be on the watch (for); to wait (for); to watch (for)
- 待ち望むまちのぞむN1
to wait eagerly for; to look forward to
- 待ち合わせるまちあわせるN3
to rendezvous; to meet at a prearranged place and time; to arrange to meet
- 期待感きたいかん
sense of anticipation; feeling of expectation; feeling of hope
- 待たせるまたせる
to keep (a person) waiting
- お待たせしましたおまたせしましたN2
thank you for waiting; sorry to have kept you waiting
Study
Etymology
待 combines 彳 (movement/going) with 寺, which likely contributes the sound and carries an idea of stopping or staying. The character suggests pausing during movement to wait.
Meaning mnemonic
The left side 彳 suggests movement, and the right side 寺 looks like a temple. Picture a traveler stopping at a temple gate to wait before entering.
Reading mnemonic
For タイ, imagine waiting for a tie to be knotted before a ceremony at the temple: tie -> タイ, and you must wait patiently.