Meaning
等等 has two main uses: as a command or request meaning 'wait a moment/hold on,' and as a phrase meaning 'and so on' or 'etc.' when listing items. The first usage comes from repeating the verb 等 (to wait) for emphasis, while the second usage creates an open-ended list by suggesting there are more similar items that could be mentioned.
Usage
When used to mean 'wait,' 等等 is typically said with urgency or to get someone's attention before they leave or act. When used to mean 'etc.,' it appears at the end of a list of examples. Native speakers use this extremely frequently in both spoken and written contexts. It's less formal than 等一下 (děng yīxià) but equally common.
Examples
- 01等等！你忘了拿钥匙。! .Wait! You forgot to take your keys.
- 02我喜欢吃水果，比如苹果、香蕉、葡萄等等。, , , .I like to eat fruit, such as apples, bananas, grapes, and so on.
Characters
Common collocations
- 等等我wait for me
- 苹果、香蕉、橘子等等, ,apples, bananas, oranges, etc.
- 等等再说wait and we'll talk about it
Origin
Formed by reduplication of 等 (to wait). Reduplication of verbs in Chinese often adds emphasis or softens the tone. The 'and so on' meaning developed from the idea of 'waiting for more' items in a sequence.