About
等 (děng) is a phono-semantic compound: the radical ⺮ (bamboo) atop suggests the meaning, while 寺 (sì, 'temple') below indicates the sound. Originally, it referred to bamboo slips or tallies used by officials to arrange items or people into ranks or grades. From this idea of sorting, it broadened to signify equality or being of the same level, then evolved into the common verb 'to wait', and finally a particle meaning 'and so on' or 'etc.'
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
请等我一下
我们在等朋友
他等了三小时
等等别着急
我需要笔纸等等
耐心等待机会
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