Japanese You Keep Seeing: 店員さんの「少々お待ちください」はどのくらい待つ？｜Japanese Grammar (N5–N3)

(A boutique clerk politely asking Joy “Shoushou omachi kudasai”, while Ken smiles, Raya browses, and an orange cat plays with a ribbon)

Welcome to “Japanese You Keep Seeing”!

Whether you are calling a customer service center, checking in at a hotel, or asking a shop staff member for a different size, you will inevitably hear this elegant phrase: 少々お待ちください (Shoushou omachi kudasai). It is the gold standard of polite waiting in Japan. But for beginners, the big question is: exactly how long is “a moment” in Japan? Let’s find out!

🗣 Conversation Scene

Joy, Ken, and Raya are shopping at a nice department store boutique. Joy found a shirt she loves, but she needs to ask the clerk if they have a medium size in the back room.

Clerk

Line 1: 少々お待ちください。 Line 2: Shōshō omachi kudasai. Line 3: (Please wait a moment.)

在庫を確認いたします。少々お待ちください。 (I will check the inventory. Please wait a moment.)

Joy

はい、お願いします。 (Yes, please.) …Ken-san, how long do you think she will take?

Ken

“Shoushou” usually means just a couple of minutes! They are very fast here.

💡 Explanation: The Art of Waiting

To understand exactly what is being asked of you, let’s break down the grammar of this famous customer service phrase.

1. What does it literally mean? ⏱️

The word 少々 (Shoushou) means “a little bit” or “a short amount.” The phrase お待ちください (Omachi kudasai) is the highly respectful Keigo version of “Please wait.” Together, it literally translates to: “Please wait for a very short amount of time.”

2. So, how long is “Shoushou”? ⏳

In Japanese business culture, “Shoushou” generally implies a wait of 30 seconds to 3 minutes. If the clerk knows it will take longer than 5 minutes (for example, if they need to call another branch to check stock), they will usually return to you and apologize, saying it will take a bit more time. If you hear “Shoushou,” stay right where you are—they will be right back!

3. The Casual Version: Chotto matte! 🛑

Can you say “Shoushou omachi kudasai” to your friends? No! It sounds far too stiff and robotic, like a department store employee. If you want your friend to wait for you while you tie your shoe, use the casual phrase: ちょっと待って (Chotto matte) or ちょっと待ってね (Chotto matte ne). Warning: Never say “Chotto matte” to a boss, teacher, or customer. It is way too informal!

💎 Pro Tip: The “Thank You for Waiting” Follow-up

In Japan, leaving a customer waiting is considered an inconvenience. Therefore, when the clerk returns, they will almost NEVER say “Here you go.” Instead, they will always say: お待たせいたしました (Omatase itashimashita), which means “Thank you for waiting” or “I am sorry to have kept you waiting.”

🔥 Practice Quiz

Q1. A hotel receptionist tells you “Shoushou omachi kudasai.” Roughly how long are they asking you to wait? A. About 30 seconds to 3 minutes. B. About an hour.

Answer: A “Shoushou” means a very small amount. It is intended to be a very brief wait.

Q2. You are walking with your friend and need to stop to answer a text. How do you tell your friend to wait? A. Shoushou omachi kudasai. B. Chotto matte ne.

Answer: B (Chotto matte ne) For friends and casual situations, always use “Chotto matte.” The other phrase is too formal!

Q3. When the clerk returns with your item, what phrase will they almost always say to you? A. Omatase itashimashita (Sorry to keep you waiting) B. Yoroshiku onegaishimasu (Please treat me well)

Answer: A “Omatase itashimashita” is the polite pair to “Shoushou omachi kudasai”. It acknowledges and thanks you for your patience.

Ready to master the Ko-So-A-Do system?

Want to dive deeper? Check out our official Beginner’s Grammar Book for more examples, detailed explanations, and practice exercises to perfect your Japanese pointing skills!