待つ

• Reading: まつ
• Romaji: matsu
• Kanji breakdown: 待 (tai/ma) — to wait, to await
• Pronunciation: /ma.tsɯ/

Meaning

To wait; to await. Used for waiting for people, events, or things to happen.

A Group 1 (godan) verb that conjugates with the つ ending (待って, 待った, 待ちます). Extremely common in everyday situations — waiting for someone, waiting in line, or waiting for a train. The て-form 待って is often used as a casual 'wait!' or 'hold on!'

Examples

1. バス停でバスを待っています。 I'm waiting for the bus at the bus stop.
2. ちょっと待ってください。 Please wait a moment.
3. 三十分も待ちました。 I waited for a whole thirty minutes.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, transportation, appointments

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

The kanji 待 combines 彳 (to go) and 寺 (temple), originally suggesting standing at a path near a temple, waiting. The meaning of patient anticipation has remained since classical Japanese.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal