稍后

• Pinyin: shāo hòu
• Hanzi breakdown: 稍 = 禾 + 肖 (slightly, a little); 后 = 厂 + 口 (after, behind)

Meaning

Shortly after; in a little while; later. Used to indicate something will happen soon.

Commonly used in service, broadcasting, customer service, and professional communication. Slightly more formal than 一会儿. Indicates a short but unspecified delay.

Examples

1. 航班稍后将开始登机，请旅客在候机厅等候。 Boarding will begin shortly. Please wait in the gate area.
2. 我稍后给您回电话，现在正在开会。 I’ll call you back a little later—I'm in a meeting right now.
3. 报告稍后将发送到您的邮箱。 The report will be sent to your email shortly.

Usage Guide

Context: service, broadcasting, professional communication

Tone: polite

Do Say

• 请稍后，工作人员马上为您服务。(Please wait a moment; a staff member will assist you shortly.)
• 系统正在处理您的请求，结果稍后显示。(The system is processing your request; results will appear shortly.)

Don't Say

• 把稍后用于很长时间的等待 — 稍后 implies a brief wait; use 之后 or 晚些时候 for longer delays

Origin & History

稍 (slightly/a little) + 后 (after/later) — a little while after

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal