Dictionary
English - Russian

Wait

weɪt
Extremely common
500 - 600
500 - 600
The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000. This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.

ждать, подождать, ожидать, дождаться, отложить

Wait meanings in Russian

ждать

Example:
I will wait for you at the station.
Я буду ждать тебя на станции.
Please wait a moment.
Пожалуйста, подождите минуту.
Usage: formal/informalContext: Used when someone is expected to remain in a place until something happens or someone arrives.
Note: Commonly used in both spoken and written language. Can be used in various tenses.

подождать

Example:
Can you wait a little longer?
Можешь подождать немного дольше?
I need to wait for my friend to arrive.
Мне нужно подождать, пока мой друг придет.
Usage: informalContext: Often used in casual conversations when asking someone to be patient.
Note: This form is more casual and is often used among friends or family.

ожидать

Example:
I expect to wait for an hour.
Я ожидаю ждать час.
They are waiting for the results.
Они ожидают результатов.
Usage: formalContext: Used in more formal contexts, often related to anticipating an outcome.
Note: This term can also convey the sense of expectation beyond just physical waiting.

дождаться

Example:
I finally waited for him to come back.
Я наконец дождался, когда он вернется.
Did you wait for her?
Ты дождался её?
Usage: informal/formalContext: Implies waiting until someone or something arrives or happens.
Note: This term emphasizes the completion of waiting, often used when the awaited event finally occurs.

отложить

Example:
I will wait the meeting until next week.
Я отложу встречу до следующей недели.
We can wait the decision until later.
Мы можем отложить решение до позже.
Usage: formalContext: Used in a context where an action is postponed or delayed.
Note: This term is more about postponing rather than physically waiting.

Wait's synonyms

await

To wait for something or someone, usually with anticipation.
Example: We are eagerly awaiting the arrival of our guests.
Note: Await is more formal and often implies a sense of expectation or excitement.

anticipate

To expect or look forward to something happening.
Example: I anticipate a long line at the ticket counter, so we should leave early.
Note: Anticipate can imply a sense of preparation or foresight in addition to waiting.

expect

To believe or assume that something will happen or be the case.
Example: I expect the report to be ready by tomorrow.
Note: Expect is often used when there is a specific outcome or result that is anticipated.

pause

To temporarily stop or delay an action or activity.
Example: Let's pause for a moment and reflect on what has been said.
Note: Pause implies a brief interruption rather than a prolonged period of waiting.

Wait expressions, common phrases

Wait for

To delay action until someone or something arrives or is ready.
Example: I have to wait for my friend before we can go to the movie.
Note: The phrase 'wait for' specifically indicates waiting for a person or thing.

Wait in line

To wait one's turn in a queue or line of people.
Example: We had to wait in line for over an hour to get tickets to the concert.
Note: This phrase specifies waiting in a line or queue.

Wait up

To stay awake or delay going to bed until someone arrives or something happens.
Example: Don't go to bed yet, wait up for me to get home.
Note: It implies staying awake or delaying bedtime for someone or something.

Wait and see

To wait patiently to find out what will happen or how a situation will develop.
Example: I'm not sure how it will turn out; we'll just have to wait and see.
Note: This phrase emphasizes the aspect of patience and uncertainty in waiting.

Wait it out

To endure a difficult or challenging situation by being patient and waiting for it to end.
Example: The storm will pass; we just need to wait it out inside.
Note: This phrase suggests enduring or being patient during a challenging situation.

Wait on

To serve someone by attending to their needs or desires, especially in a restaurant or store.
Example: The restaurant staff continued to wait on the customers even during busy hours.
Note: It indicates serving or attending to someone's needs.

Wait a minute

An expression used to ask for a short pause or delay in an activity or conversation.
Example: Wait a minute, I need to grab my keys before we leave.
Note: This phrase is a common way to ask for a brief delay in action.

Wait everyday (slang) expressions

Hold your horses

This slang term means to wait or be patient, often used to tell someone to slow down or wait a moment.
Example: Hold your horses! Let me finish talking before you interrupt.
Note: The original word 'wait' is replaced by 'hold your horses' to add emphasis and convey a sense of urgency or impatience.

Chill out

This term means to relax or calm down, often used to ask someone to be patient or wait calmly.
Example: Hey, chill out! I'll be ready in a few minutes.
Note: While 'wait' implies pausing for a specific purpose, 'chill out' focuses more on the emotional aspect of waiting by asking someone to stay calm or relaxed.

Hang on a sec

This slang phrase means to wait for a short period, typically used to delay briefly before moving on to the next action.
Example: Hang on a sec, I'll grab my keys and then we can go.
Note: Instead of simply saying 'wait,' 'hang on a sec' suggests a quick pause or delay before proceeding, indicating a short timeframe for waiting.

Cool your jets

This expression means to calm down or relax, often used to ask someone to be patient and wait calmly.
Example: Cool your jets! The bus will be here soon.
Note: Similar to 'chill out,' 'cool your jets' emphasizes the need to remain calm while waiting, but with a slightly more playful or informal tone.

Give it a minute

This phrase means to wait briefly, suggesting that a short amount of time is needed before proceeding.
Example: Just give it a minute, I'm almost ready to leave.
Note: Rather than using the word 'wait,' 'give it a minute' implies a sense of anticipation and expectation, highlighting the imminent completion of a task or action.

Not so fast

This term means to slow down or hold off on proceeding, often used to caution against rushing into something.
Example: Not so fast! We need to wait for everyone to arrive before we start.
Note: While 'wait' indicates a general pause, 'not so fast' specifically warns against acting too quickly or impulsively, urging restraint and patience.

Take a rain check

This idiom means to postpone or reschedule a plan, often used when someone cannot engage in an activity as planned but suggests doing it at another time.
Example: Can we take a rain check on dinner tonight? I'm not feeling well.
Note: Unlike a straightforward 'wait,' 'take a rain check' implies a temporary delay or postponement with the intention of revisiting the plan in the future.

Wait - Examples

Wait for me!
Подожди меня!
I'm waiting for the bus.
Я жду автобус.
Please don't make me wait too long.
Пожалуйста, не заставляй меня ждать слишком долго.

Wait grammar

Wait - Verb (Verb) / Verb, base form (Verb, base form)
Lemma: wait
Conjugations
Noun, plural (Noun, plural): waits, wait
Noun, singular or mass (Noun, singular or mass): wait
Verb, past tense (Verb, past tense): waited
Verb, gerund or present participle (Verb, gerund or present participle): waiting
Verb, 3rd person singular present (Verb, 3rd person singular present): waits
Verb, base form (Verb, base form): wait
Verb, non-3rd person singular present (Verb, non-3rd person singular present): wait
Syllables, Separation and Stress
wait Contains 1 syllables: wait
Phonetic transcription: ˈwāt
wait , ˈwāt (The red syllable is stressed)

Wait - Importance and usage frequency

The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000.
wait: 500 - 600 (Extremely common).
This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.
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