The Phrase That Saves You When the Line Forms Behind You
To say one moment, please in Japanese, say ちょっと待ってください (chotto matte kudasai).
The line behind you is growing and you still can't find your pass — here's the phrase that buys you a breath.
ちょっと待ってください
chotto matte kudasai
one moment, please
In this video
- ちょっと待ってください chotto matte kudasai One moment, please.
- すみません、ちょっと待ってください。 Sumimasen, chotto matte kudasai. Sorry — one moment, please.
Why this phrase
A tourist's panic-defuser at the register or ticket gate. Teaches ちょっと待ってください ('one moment, please') with mostly-English scaffolding, paired with すみません. One clear survival takeaway.
Up next
Survival
▶
You Will Speak Japanese Before You Leave the Airport. One Word Is Enough.
kankō desu · Sightseeing. (my purpose of visit)
Survival
▶
911 Won't Work in Japan - the One Phrase That Will
keisatsu o yonde kudasai · Please call the police.
Survival
▶
Cashier Moving Too Quick? The Polite Way to Say 'Hold On a Second' in Japan
chotto matte kudasai · wait a moment, please
Survival
▶
The Greeting You'll Say 20 Times a Day in Japan (It Changes by the Hour)
konnichiwa · hello / good day
More phrases like this
- The Polite Thank You That Closes Every Interaction in Japan · arigatou gozaimasu
- Scared of the Language Barrier? Start With This · eigo, daijōbu desu ka?
- The One Phrase That Tells You the Price in Japan · ikura desu ka?
- The First 2 Japanese Words You Need: Yes & No · hai / iie
- You Said Two and They Lit a Second Stove · nininmae de onegai shimasu
- You Ordered Kaki and They Brought the Oyster · kudamono no kaki o kudasai
- The Taxi Hasn't Moved. · hatsunori
- Those Two Kanji Were the Fee. · haikanryō
- She Had to Walk Around for Your Chicken. · jibun de o-tori kudasai
- Your Robe Is on the Funeral Side. · migi-mae
- You Let the Extra Train Leave. · rinji ressha
- Your Train Is a Bus at the Curb. · basu daikō ga dete imasu
Get the free phrasebook
15 essential phrases for your trip — romaji included, zero studying.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.