一会儿

• Pinyin: yī huìr
• Hanzi breakdown: 一 = one; 会 = 人 (person) + 云 (speak/gather) — originally depicted people gathering; 儿 = diminutive suffix

Meaning

A moment; a little while. Refers to a short, indefinite period of time.

Used to describe a brief duration. Can appear before or after a verb. In erhua (儿化) speech common in northern China, the 儿 is merged into the vowel of 会. Also used in the pattern 一会儿...一会儿... to mean 'one moment...the next moment...'.

Examples

1. 请等一会儿，我马上来。 Please wait a moment — I'll be right there.
2. 他一会儿就回来了。 He'll be back in a little while.
3. 我想休息一会儿。 I want to rest for a bit.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, conversation, time expressions

Tone: casual

Do Say

• 等一会儿。(Wait a moment.)
• 我一会儿去。(I'll go in a little while.)

Don't Say

• 不要把'一会儿'当成长时间使用。(Don't use 一会儿 to mean a long time — it only refers to a brief moment; for an hour's wait, say 等一个小时 instead)

Origin & History

一 (one) + 会 (moment/occasion) + 儿 (diminutive suffix). The 儿 suffix adds a colloquial, diminutive tone common in Beijing Mandarin.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal