Translation and Meaning of: 待つ - matsu

The word 「待つ」 (matsu) in Japanese is a verb that means "to wait" or "to await." This word plays a fundamental role in the Japanese language, both in everyday context and in idiomatic and cultural expressions. The verb is conjugated in various ways, such as 「待っている」 (matteiru) for "being in a state of waiting" and 「待ちます」 (machimasu) in a more polite and formal form.

In terms of etymology, 「待つ」 consists of a single kanji 「待」, which is a combination of the radicals 「彳」 (the radical for "walking" or "step") and 「寺」 (temple). The radical 「彳」 often relates to activities connected to action or movement, such as advancement or progress, while 「寺」 can bring connotations of time or waiting due to the idea of being stationary or immobile, like in a temple. Therefore, the combination of these ideas leads us to the concept of being still or waiting.

Historically, the verb 「待つ」 has its roots deeply linked to Japanese culture, where patience and waiting are often seen as virtues. This cultural conception is reflected in various Japanese expressions and proverbs, such as 「待てば海路の日和あり」 (Mateba kairo no hiwaria), which translates approximately as "Good fortune comes to those who wait." Therefore, the use of the word not only describes the act of waiting but also often carries a subtext of patience and perseverance.

In a more modern context, 「待つ」 is still widely used, being integrated into many expressions and everyday situations. From waiting for someone in a café to the technological context of waiting for a web page to load, the verb adapts to various situations in contemporary life. This versatility ensures that 「待つ」 remains an essential word in the vocabulary of any Japanese language student.

Vocabulary

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Verb conjugation of 待つ

• 待つ - basic form
• 待って - imperative form
• 待った - Simple past form
• 待っている - Present continuous form
• 待ちます - Polite Present Form

Synonyms and similar words

• 待ち続ける (machi tsuzukeru) - continue waiting
• 待ちわびる (machiwabiru) - eagerly await
• 期待する (kitai suru) - hope (something positive)
• 予期する (yoki suru) - foresee; anticipate (it can be something positive or negative)
• 期待に応える (kitai ni kotaeru) - meet expectations
• 期待に応じる (kitai ni oujiru) - adjust to expectations
• 期待に沿う (kitai ni sou) - to be in line with expectations
• 期待に違わない (kitai ni Kawaranai) - do not diverge from expectations
• 期待に反する (kitai ni hansuru) - contradict expectations
• 期待外れ (kitai hazure) - disappointment; something that does not meet expectations
• 期待を裏切る (kitai o uragir) - betray expectations
• 期待を裏切らない (kitai o uragiranai) - not betray expectations
• 期待を裏切らせる (kitai o uragiraseru) - make someone betray expectations
• 期待を裏切るような (kitai o uragiru you na) - something that betrays expectations
• 期待を裏切ること (kitai o uragiru koto) - the act of betraying expectations
• 期待を裏切らないこと (kitai o uragiranai koto) - the act of not betraying expectations
• 期待を裏切らせること (kitai o uragiraseru koto) - the act of making someone betray expectations
• 期待を裏切る原因 (kitai o uragiru gen'in) - cause of betrayal of expectations
• 期待を裏切る理由 (kitai o uragiru riyuu) - reason to betray expectations
• 期待を裏切る場合 (kitai o uragiru baai) - case of betrayal of expectations

待つ

Romaji: matsu
Kana: まつ
Type: verb
L: jlpt-n5

Translation / Meaning: wait

Meaning in English: to wait

Definition: To see the conclusion of an action or event.

Example Sentences - (待つ) matsu

See below some example sentences:

有望な未来が待っている。

Yūbō na mirai ga matte iru

A promising future awaits.

A promising future is waiting.

• 有望な - promising
• 未来 - future
• が - subject particle
• 待っている - is waiting

久しい間ずっと待っていた。

Hisashii aida zutto matteita

I waited a long time.

I've been waiting a long time.

• 久しい - adjective that means "long", "prolonged"
• 間 - noun that means "space", "interval"
• ずっと - adverb that means "always", "continuously"
• 待っていた - verb meaning "to wait", conjugated in the past and in the progressive form

私はじっと待っています。

Watashi wa jitto matteimasu

I'm patiently waiting.

I'm waiting for this.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "I"
• じっと (jitto) - adverb meaning "firmly" or "fixedly"
• 待っています (matteimasu) - verb meaning "to wait" in the present continuous tense

私は停留所でバスを待っています。

Watashi wa teiryūjo de basu o matte imasu

I'm waiting for the bus at the bus stop.

I'm waiting for a bus at the stop.

• 私 (watashi) - signifies "I" in Japanese
• は (wa) - topic particle in Japanese, used to indicate the subject of the sentence
• 停留所 (teiryūjo) - means "bus stop" in Japanese
• で (de) - Location particle in Japanese language, used to indicate where something is happening.
• バス (basu) - It means "bus" in Japanese.
• を (wo) - object particle in Japanese, used to indicate the direct object of the sentence
• 待っています (matteimasu) - It means "I am waiting" in Japanese, with "matte" being the verb "to wait" and "imasu" a form to indicate the present continuous.

私はあなたからの消息を待っています。

Watashi wa anata kara no shōsai o matte imasu

I'm waiting for news from you.

I'm waiting for you to inhabit it.

• 私 (watashi) - signifies "I" in Japanese
• は (wa) - Japanese topic particle
• あなた (anata) - It means "you" in Japanese.
• から (kara) - means "from" in Japanese
• の (no) - Possession particle in Japanese
• 消息 (shousoku) - means "news" in Japanese
• を (wo) - Direct Object Particle in Japanese
• 待っています (matteimasu) - It means "I am waiting" in Japanese.

私は彼女を待つ。

Watashi wa kanojo o matsu

I'm waiting for her.

I wait for her.

• 私 - signifies "I" in Japanese
• は - it is a topic particle that indicates that the subject of the sentence is "I"
• 彼女 - means "girlfriend" or "she" in Japanese
• を - it is a direct object particle that indicates that "she" is the direct object of the action "to wait"
• 待つ - means "wait" in Japanese

私たちは長い列を連ねて待っていました。

Watashitachi wa nagai retsu o tsunagete matte imashita

We were waiting in a long line.

We were waiting for a long queue.

• 私たちは - 「私たち」
• 長い列 - "A long line" in Japanese
• を - Direct Object Particle in Japanese
• 連ねて - "In line" in Japanese
• 待っていました - "We were waiting" in Japanese.

行列を作って待っている。

Gyōretsu o tsukutte matte iru

I'm queuing and waiting.

I'm expecting a line.

• 行列 - means "row".
• を - object particle.
• 作って - verb form of the verb "作る" meaning "to create" or "to make".
• 待っている - verb form of the verb "待つ" which means "to wait".

返事を待っています。

Henshi wo matteimasu

I'm waiting for an answer.

I'm waiting for an answer.

• 返事 (henji) - Reply
• を (wo) - object particle
• 待っています (matteimasu) - Waiting

長い間お待たせしました。

Nagai aida omatase shimashita

I've been waiting a long time.

• 長い間 - It means "for a long time".
• お待たせしました - It is a Japanese expression that means "sorry for making you wait."