Chotto matte: what does it mean & how does it work in Japanese?

What does “chotto matte” mean in Japanese?

Native speakers say “chotto matte” to mean ‘just a moment’ or ‘wait a moment’ in Japanese. Perhaps, some Japanese learners know this phrase as it is often used in Japanese conversations. In this blog post, however, I will explain this phrase in detail based on its grammatical components. And also, I will explain how to use it through an example sentence. My explanations would help Japanese learners to understand “chotto matte” more clearly. Then, let’s get started!

Contents

• Definition and meanings of “chotto matte”
• Breakdown of “chotto matte”
  • Example #1: how to say ‘just a moment’ in Japanese
• Definition and meanings of “chotto matte kudasai”
  • Example #2: how to say “just a moment, please” in Japanese
• Summary

Definition and meanings of “chotto matte”

Let me start with the definition and meanings of “chotto matte”.

• chotto matte – ちょっと待って (ちょっとまって) : a Japanese phrase meaning ‘just a moment’ or ‘wait a moment’.

Japanese native speakers use this phrase to ask someone to wait for a short time. So, its role is quite similar to those of the English phrases above.

The definition and meanings are simple and clear, I think. To understand this phrase more clearly, however, let me explain its grammatical components in detail, one by one.

Breakdown of “chotto matte”

The phrase consists of the following two components:

• chotto – ちょっと : an adverb meaning ‘small in amount/number/degree’ in Japanese. In the phrase, this works to refer to a small amount of time.
• matte – 待って (まって) : the te form of the verb, “matsu“, which means ‘to wait’ in Japanese. In the Japanese language, the te forms of verbs often result in working as their command forms. So, this can mean ‘wait’ in Japanese.

From these two components, we can understand that “chotto matte” is an imperative expression and literally means ‘wait a moment’ in Japanese. So, the grammatical components are completely in line with the meanings.

When we meet new Japanese phrases, we should check their grammatical components in detail to understand their meanings clearly and deeply. In many cases, components tell us a lot about the meanings of the phrases they form. Actually, here, we could get the better understanding of “chotto matte” through the detailed check above. Then, let me explain how to use it through the example sentence below.

Example #1: how to say ‘just a moment’ in Japanese

Below are the new words used in the example sentence.

• to – と : a case particle working as a quote marker. In the example, this works after the clause to indicate what he said.
• kare – 彼 (かれ) : a pronoun meaning ‘he’ in Japanese.
• ga – が : a case particle used to make the subject word or the object word in a sentence. In the example, this is used after “kare” to make the subject in the sentence.
• it – 言っ (いっ) : one conjugation of the verb, “iu”, which means ‘to say’ or such in Japanese. In the example, it has been conjugated for the better connection with its following word.
• ta – た : an auxiliary verb used after a verb, adjective, or auxiliary verb to make its past tense form. Probably, this is well known as a part of Japanese ta form. In the example, this is used after “it” to make its past tense form, “it ta”.

This is a typical usage of “chotto matte”. When we want to ask someone to wait for a short time in Japanese, this phrase is a very good option. In formal situations, however, we should use its polite version. Let me explain it in the following paragraphs.

Definition and meanings of “chotto matte kudasai”

Below are the definition and meanings of “chotto matte kudasai”.

• chotto matte kudasai – ちょっと待って下さい (ちょっとまってください) : a Japanese phrase meaning ‘just a moment, please’ or ‘wait a moment, please’.

“Kudasai” has been added. Let me explain its definition and meaning as follows:

• kudasai – 下さい (ください) : one conjugation of the verb, “kudasaru”, which means ‘to give’ or such in Japanese. When this follows a verb, however, this can work like an auxiliary verb to add the meaning of ‘please’. In the phrase, this works like an auxiliary verb to add the meaning of ‘please’.

“Kudasai” works at the end of the phrase to make it different from the less polite version. Then, let me explain how to use the polite version through the example sentence below.

Example #2: how to say “just a moment, please” in Japanese

Below are the new words used in the example sentence.

• boku – 僕 (ぼく) : a pronoun meaning ‘I’ in Japanese. This is used mainly by boys and young males.
• wa – は : a binding particle working as a case marker or topic marker. In the example, this works after “boku” to make the subject in the sentence.
• senpai – 先輩 (せんぱい) : a noun meaning ‘senior’, ‘a person who is older than someone in a group’, or just ‘senpai’ in Japanese. This can also work as plural. Learn more about Japanese plural.
• ni – に : a case particle used to say in which direction an action goes. In the example, this is used after “senpai” to say to whom the action described by “it ta” is directed.

This is a typical usage of “chotto matte kudasai”. When we want to ask someone to wait for a short time politely in Japanese, this phrase is always a good option.

Summary

In this blog post, I’ve explained the definition and meanings of “chotto matte” in detail based on its grammatical components. And also, I’ve explained its polite version. Let me summarize them as follows.

• chotto matte – ちょっと待って (ちょっとまって) : a Japanese phrase meaning ‘just a moment’ or ‘wait a moment’. This is grammatically an imperative expression and literally means ‘wait a moment’ in Japanese. Native speakers use this to ask someone to wait for a short time in Japanese. So, the role of this phrase is quite similar to those of the English ones above.
• chotto matte kudasai – ちょっと待って下さい (ちょっとまってください) : a Japanese phrase meaning ‘just a moment, please’ or ‘wait a moment, please’. This is the polite version of “chotto matte”.

Hope my explanations are understandable and helpful for Japanese learners.