等待 (děng dài) is a compound verb meaning 'to wait (for)' — the act of staying in one place or remaining patient until something happens, someone arrives, or a condition is met. The first character 等 (děng) means 'to wait' on its own and carries the core sense of pausing or expecting; the second character 待 (dài) reinforces this meaning, originally signifying 'to stay' or 'to receive'. Together, they form a formal, standard, and slightly more literary synonym for 等 (děng), commonly used in both spoken and written Chinese.

This verb often appears with an object introduced by the particle 了 or with time phrases (e.g., 等待十分钟). It can express anticipation, patience, or even anxiety depending on context — for example, waiting for exam results, a friend at the station, or news from abroad. Unlike the colloquial 等, 等待 sounds more deliberate and is frequently found in announcements, instructions, and formal writing.