What does 기다려 (gidaryeo) mean?
- 기다려gidaryeo
Wait! / Wait for me
Casual: friends and people younger than you
기다려 (gidaryeo) means "Wait!" or "Wait for me" in casual Korean. It is the banmal form of 기다리다 (to wait), so you say it to friends, family or anyone younger than you.
Where it comes from
It is 기다리다 (to wait) with the casual ending 어, which merges into 기다려.
How to use 기다려
Use 기다려 when you want someone to hold on, for example when a friend is walking ahead or you need a minute to get ready. Said sharply, it can sound like an order, so a softer 잠깐만 기다려 (wait just a moment) is common.
With people you are not close to, use 기다려 주세요 (please wait). Shop staff and receptionists say 잠시만 기다려 주세요 (please wait a moment) all the time.
기다려 is also the word Korean dog owners use for the command "Stay!". And 기다릴게 means "I'll wait", which is a very common line in romantic scenes.
Examples
Tap a word to see what it means and save it to your flashcards.
A friend walks ahead of you
A clerk checking something for a customer
Thanking a friend who waited for you
Other ways to say it
| Korean | Meaning | When |
|---|---|---|
| 기다려요 | Wait | Polite form. |
| 기다려 주세요 | Please wait | Polite request. |
| 잠시만 기다려 주세요 | Please wait a moment | Standard customer-service phrase. |
| 기다려 줘 | Wait for me | Casual request, softer than plain 기다려. |
| 기다릴게 | I'll wait (for you) | A promise, common in texts and love stories. |
Questions learners ask
How do you say wait politely in Korean?
Say 기다려 주세요 (please wait) or 잠시만 기다려 주세요 (please wait a moment).
What is the difference between gidaryeo and jamkkanman?
잠깐만 means "just a moment" or "hold on". 기다려 is the verb "wait". People often combine them: 잠깐만 기다려.
What does gidarilge mean?
기다릴게 means "I'll wait" or "I'll wait for you". It is casual and often sounds caring or romantic.