请等一下。

When to use

Use this when you need a moment before responding or acting, such as at a shop counter or during a conversation.

How it works

This phrase starts with 请 for politeness. 等 means 'to wait'. 一下 is a common complement indicating a brief duration.

• please
• to wait
• a moment

Pronunciation: 一下 (yí xià)

The character 一 is typically 1st tone, but when followed by a 4th tone character like 下, it changes to the 2nd tone (yí).

Notes

A polite way to ask someone to wait briefly.