待

Meaning

Wait · esperar

Readings

• On (音読み): タイ
• Kun (訓読み): ま.つ

Example words

• 待つ（まつ）— to wait
• 待合室（まちあいしつ）— waiting room
• 招待（しょうたい）— invitation

Structure

Radical 彳 (ぎょうにんべん · Step) · 9 strokes · school grade 3

Watch out

待つ takes を, not に: 友達を待つ (the personal a of esperar a alguien tempts learners into ×友達に待つ). Spanish esperar covers both waiting and hoping; 待つ is only waiting (French attendre) — "espero que..." is 〜といいですね (雨が降るといいですね), never 待つ. お待たせしました = sorry to have kept you waiting.