Deng yixia (等一下): Just a moment in Chinese

等一下

děng yíxià

Just a moment

Character breakdown

等

to wait

děng

一

one

yī

下

a bit (softener)

xià

Grammar and structure

等 (děng) means "to wait," and 一下 (yíxià) is a softener meaning "a bit." Together it's "wait a moment."

Variations and politeness

等一下下

děng yíxià xià

Wait just a little bit — More casual and playful, often used with friends.

稍等

shāo děng

Please wait a moment — More polite and formal, suitable for customer service.

Mini dialogue

等一下，我来帮你。

děng yíxià, wǒ lái bāng nǐ.

Wait a moment, I'll help you.

好的，谢谢！

hǎo de, xièxiè!

Okay, thanks!

When to use it

Appropriate

When you need someone to pause briefly while you do something.
When you are checking information or finishing a task before attending to them.
In casual or neutral situations, such as with friends, colleagues, or strangers.

Avoid when

When you need someone to wait for a long time; use a phrase like 等一会儿 (děng yíhuìr) or specify a duration.
When you want to be very formal or polite; use 稍等 (shāo děng) instead.

Frequently asked questions

How do you say "wait a moment" in Chinese?

You can say "等一下" (děng yíxià). It literally means "wait a bit" and is used in everyday conversation.

How do you pronounce 等一下?

It is pronounced "děng yíxià". Note that 一 (yī) changes to yí before the fourth tone of 下 (xià).

When do you use 等一下?

Use 等一下 when you need someone to wait briefly, such as when you are checking something or need a moment. It is neutral in politeness and works in most situations.