How to Say ‘Please wait’ in Japanese
少々お待ちください
しょうしょうおまちください
💬 Usage Tip: Formal phrase, [少々] (sho-sho) means 'a little'.
🇯🇵 In Japan: Politeness is important; this phrase is often heard in service industries.
Phrase Breakdown
少々しょうしょう
a little
Used for a small amount, degree, or period of time.
少々お待ちください。
Please wait a moment.
お待ちおまち
waiting
Polite way to indicate waiting.
お待ちしています。
I am waiting for you.
くださいください
please
A polite request.
手伝ってください。
Please help me.
Word-by-Word Breakdown
少々しょうしょう
[shoushou]
a little
A polite way to ask someone to wait for a short time.
少々お待ちいただけますか？
Could you wait a moment?
おお
[o]
honorific prefix
A prefix used to show respect when addressing or referring to others.
お客様が来ます。
The customers are coming.
待ちまち
[machi]
to wait
To stay in one place until a person arrives or an event happens.
少し待ってください。
Please wait a moment.
くださいください
[kudasai]
please
Used as a polite way of asking for something.
もう一度お願いします。
Please do it once more.
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