且慢 (qiě màn) — (interjection) wait a moment; hold it

Definition

A formal interjection meaning 'wait a moment / hold on' — used in writing, speeches, or jianyu/idiom-style phrases to ask the listener to pause before reacting. It is more literary than the everyday 等一下 (děng yīxià).

interjection
wait a momenthold it

Examples

  • 且慢，。
    qiě màn, Tīng wǒ shuō wán.
    Wait, let me finish speaking.
  • 且慢，。
    qiě màn, Zhè jiàn shì hái méi wán.
    Hold on, this matter isn't over yet.
  • 且慢！。
    qiě màn! Wǒ yǒu huà yào shuō.
    Wait! I have something to say.

Origin

Characters in this word

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

The shape of 且 is thought to picture a stone altar, a sacrificial vessel seen from above, or an erect penis.

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Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
忄Written in full as心xīnheart
Sound part声符shēngfú
曼
曼màn慢màn
Same sound today

慢 pairs 忄 (heart) with 曼 (màn). The heart part points to a manner or sluggish behavior, while 曼’s meaning “long, extended” adds the sense of taking a long time.

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