How to answer wait in a conversation in simple Mandarin? The short version of this is 等下, and is commonly used in households general public like shops, malls, etc A more respectable 稍等 is in formal situations or those which impart respect eg in business ranks, politics, or to elderly 等待 also means to 'wait' for someone or something to happen
simplified characters - Difference between 等待 and 等到 - Chinese Language . . . answer in dictionaries, e g bkrs: 等待 wait for; await等待继承遗产 wait for dead men's shoes; wait for a dead man's shoes 等待时机 await a favourable opportunity; wait for a chance; bide one's time 他在等待机会。 He is waiting for his opportunity 等到：to wait until by the time when (sth is ready etc) （表示时间条件） by the time; when: 等到他来