等 (děng) - To wait & to await

等Tone 3

děng ｜ 12 strokes ｜ radical:

橙丁

等 · děng

To wait;

to await;

equal;

same;

class;

rank;

grade;

etc.

;

and so on;

when (indicating time).

To waitto awaitequal

Usage highlights

Wait a momentEqualityFirst classEt ceteraGrade ASpecial class

Synonyms

  • 候— to wait, await
  • 同— same, identical
  • 级— level, grade, rank

Antonyms

  • 异— different, distinct
  • 差— difference, disparity

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • Please wait a moment (请等一下).
  • They are of equal importance (他们同等重要).
  • First grade elementary school (小学一年级等).
  • Books, pens, and so on (书、笔等等).
  • When I arrived, he had already left (等我到时，他已经走了).

Collocations

  • Wait a moment(等一下)
  • Equality(平等)
  • First class(头等)
  • Et cetera(等等)
  • Grade A(甲等)
  • Special class(特等)

Idioms

  • Treat differently(三等四等)
  • Of the same kind(同等同类)
  • Wait for the right moment(等闲视之)
  • Extraordinary, not ordinary(非同等闲)
  • Wait for an opportunity to act(等因奉此)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • The character's structure with bamboo strips (竹) suggests ancient recording of equal tallies or lists.
  • Used historically in ranking systems for officials, scholars, and military personnel.
  • Reflects the cultural importance of hierarchy and classification in traditional Chinese society.

FAQ