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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing waiting with 待 (dài)

    Actions & Events
    Time Expressions

    Structure

    Subject + 等待 + Object

    Explanation

    The verb 待 (dài) can mean "to wait" and often appears in the compound 等待 (děngdài), meaning "to wait for." On its own, 待 carries a literary tone and implies patient waiting or staying. For example, 耐心地等待着 means "waiting patiently."

    Examples

    • 请你在这里等待一会儿，医生马上就来。

      Qǐng nǐ zài zhèlǐ děngdài yíhuìr, yīshēng mǎshàng jiù lái.

      Please wait here for a moment; the doctor will be here soon.

    • 我们已经等待了两个小时，飞机还没到。

      Wǒmen yǐjīng děngdài le liǎng gè xiǎoshí, fēijī hái méi dào.

      We've already been waiting for two hours, and the plane still hasn't arrived.

    • 她耐心地等待着考试结果的公布。

      Tā nàixīn de děngdài zhe kǎoshì jiéguǒ de gōngbù.

      She patiently waited for the exam results to be announced.

    Similar Grammar

    Expressing waiting with 待 (dài) | Chinese Grammar