等一下。

You can use it as a standalone sentence. Just say 等一下 when someone is walking too fast. You can also put it at the start of a sentence. It works perfectly when you need to interrupt a thought. It is very flexible and fits almost anywhere. Use it when you are grabbing your coffee. Use it when you are checking a notification. It is the ultimate social lubricant for busy moments.

Use it when the elevator door is closing. Use it when a waiter is walking away too quickly. It is perfect for texting when you are mid-task. If you are in a meeting and need to check a file, say it softly. It tells people you are present but just need a second. It keeps the flow of the interaction smooth and polite.

Do not use it for long delays. If you need ten minutes, this phrase is misleading. Avoid using it with very high-ranking bosses without a polite prefix. It can sound a bit too casual in a strict courtroom. Don't use it if someone is in a life-or-death hurry. In those cases, you should probably just move faster! Using it repeatedly can also make you sound a bit disorganized.

Chinese culture values social harmony and 'giving face.' Simply saying 'No' or 'Stop' is often too harsh. 等一下 softens the interaction. It implies that you want to comply, but just need a heartbeat. It reflects a fast-paced modern life where everyone is multitasking. It is a universal bridge between being busy and being polite. You will hear it in every coffee shop from Beijing to Taipei.

You might hear 等一等 which is almost identical but feels slightly more rhythmic. In the north, people might add an 'r' sound: 等会儿. If you want to be extra polite, add 请 at the beginning. 请等一下 is the 'gold standard' for service industry workers. For your best friends, a quick 等下 is the shorthand version. Each variation carries the same 'wait a sec' energy.