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: Polite request to ask someone to wait a moment.
🇯🇵 In Japan: Common courtesy phrase, often heard in customer service.
Phrase Breakdown
少々しょうしょう
A little
Small amount or degree.
少々お待ちください。
Please wait a little.
お待ちおまち
Wait
The act of waiting.
待ち時間が長いです。
The wait time is long.
くださいください
Please
Polite request form.
もう一度言ってください。
Please say it again.
Word-by-Word Breakdown
少々しょうしょう
[shoushou]
just
A polite way to say a small amount of time.
少々お待ちください。
Please wait a moment.
おお
[o]
honorific prefix
Used to indicate respect.
お茶をどうぞ。
Please have some tea.
待ちまち
[machi]
wait
To stay in one place until an expected event happens.
待っています。
I am waiting.
くださいください
[kudasai]
please
Used to make a polite request.
見てください。
Please look.
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