待: the kanji for wait
待 is a JLPT N4 kanji that means wait. Below are its readings, 10 common words and example sentences, all with audio.
Stroke order
待 is written in 9 strokes. The red stroke is the one to write next, and the dot shows where it starts.
Words by reading
待 has 2 readings in the official Jōyō Kanji Table. Below are 10 common words grouped by reading. Tap ▶ to hear each word (audio plays with a free account).
タイ (tai)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 期待きたい · kitai | expectation |
| 招待しょうたい · shōtai | invitation |
| 待機たいき · taiki | standby |
| 接待せったい · settai | business entertaining |
| 待遇たいぐう · taigū | treatment; working conditions |
| 優待ゆうたい · yūtai | special treatment; discount |
まつ (matsu)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 待つまつ · matsu | to wait |
| 待ち合わせまちあわせ · machiawase | meeting up |
| 待合室まちあいしつ · machiaishitsu | waiting room |
| 待ち時間まちじかん · machijikan | waiting time |
Example sentences for work and daily life
- 少々お待ちください。Shōshō o-machi kudasai.Just a moment, please.
- お待たせしました。O-matase shimashita.Sorry to keep you waiting.
- 結婚式に招待されました。Kekkonshiki ni shōtai saremashita.I was invited to a wedding.
- 新しいプロジェクトに期待しています。Atarashii purojekuto ni kitai shite imasu.I have high hopes for the new project.
- 駅の改札で待ち合わせましょう。Eki no kaisatsu de machiawasemashō.Let's meet at the station ticket gates.
- 待ち時間は三十分ぐらいです。Machijikan wa sanjuppun gurai desu.The wait is about thirty minutes.
Questions about 待
How many strokes does 待 have?
待 is written in 9 strokes. The stroke order is shown at the top of this page.
What are the readings of 待?
The on readings are tai (タイ). The kun readings are matsu (まつ).
What does お待たせしました mean?
お待たせしました (o-matase shimashita) means "Sorry to keep you waiting." Staff say it when they bring your order, and it is polite to say when you arrive late or come back to the phone.
What JLPT level is 待?
N4. The JLPT does not publish official kanji lists, so this level is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used through 2009.
About the JLPT level
The JLPT does not publish official lists of kanji for each level. The level on this page is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used for the test through 2009. The JLPT states that the current N4 is designed to match the former Level 3.
More JLPT N4 kanji
Movement and actions
Executive Japanese by CCN is one-on-one online Japanese for managers and directors doing business in Japan.
Sources
- Jōyō Kanji Table (常用漢字表), Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan, 2010: readings and special readings of 待
- JLPT Frequently Asked Questions, The Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services: how current levels match the former levels
- Stroke order diagrams are based on KanjiVG by Ulrich Apel, used under CC BY-SA 3.0. The diagrams on this page are shared under the same license.