待 (dài) - to wait & to treat

待Tone 4

dài ｜ 9 strokes ｜ radical:

橙丁

待 · dài

to wait;

to treat;

to deal with;

to need;

going to (do something);

about to

to waitto treatto deal with

Usage highlights

wait fortreat guestsdeal with peopleneed to be solvedawait opportunitytemporary

Synonyms

  • 等— to wait
  • 候— to await
  • 将— will, about to
  • 需— to need

Antonyms

  • 行— to act, to do (antonym to waiting)
  • 急— urgent, hurried (antonym to patient waiting)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • Please wait a moment (请稍待).
  • We need to treat guests with courtesy (待客以礼).
  • This matter needs to be handled carefully (此事有待处理).
  • I'm about to leave (我待会儿就走).

Collocations

  • wait for(等待)
  • treat guests(待客)
  • deal with people(待人)
  • need to be solved(有待解决)
  • await opportunity(待机)
  • temporary(待定)

Idioms

  • Wait for the right moment(待时而动)
  • Treat others with sincerity(待人接物)
  • Lie in ambush and wait(严阵以待)
  • Treat with courtesy(以礼相待)
  • Wait for death(坐以待毙)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In Confucian culture, 'treating others' (待人) reflects one's moral character and social cultivation.
  • The concept of 'waiting for the right moment' (待时) is important in traditional Chinese strategic thinking.
  • In modern usage, 待 often appears in formal contexts indicating pending status or future action.

FAQ