TimeHSK 2

Expressing "in a moment" or "a short while" with 一会儿

一会儿 is a versatile time word used as a noun meaning "a short while / a moment" or as an adverb meaning "soon / in a moment."

It can also be used to mean "a little while" in verb-complement constructions like 等一会儿.

Structure

Subj. + 等 + 一会儿 (+ 再 + Verb)

Use after 等 to mean "wait a little while."

Subj. + 一会儿 + Verb

Place before a verb to mean "in a moment / soon."

我们休息一会儿吧。
Wǒ men xiū xi yí huì r ba.
Let's rest for a while.
请你等一会儿，他马上就来。
Qǐng nǐ děng yí huì r, tā mǎ shàng jiù lái.
Please wait a moment; he'll be right here.
一会儿我去超市买东西。
Yí huì r wǒ qù chāo shì mǎi dōng xī.
In a little while I'm going to the supermarket to buy things.
这封邮件一会儿就写完了。
Zhè fēng yóu jiàn yí huì r jiù xiě wán le.
This email will be finished in a moment.
我过一会儿再给你打电话。
Wǒ guò yí huì r zài gěi nǐ dǎ diàn huà.
I'll call you again in a little while.