Back to Dictionary

chotto matte

Meaning: wait a minute

Pronunciation: CHOH-toh MAH-teh
slang intermediate

Meaning

wait a minute
hold on
hold your horses

Usage: A common loan phrase used in Hawaii conversation to tell someone to pause, slow down, or wait a second.

Examples

"Chotto matte brah, I still tying my shoes."

"Chotto matte, lemme check da directions first."

Origin & Cultural Context

Origin: Japanese loanword

Frequently Asked Questions

What does "chotto matte" mean in Hawaiian Pidgin?

"chotto matte" means "wait a minute" in Hawaiian Pidgin. A common loan phrase used in Hawaii conversation to tell someone to pause, slow down, or wait a second..

How do you pronounce "chotto matte"?

"chotto matte" is pronounced "CHOH-toh MAH-teh". Click the "Hear Pronunciation" button above to listen!

How do you use "chotto matte" in a sentence?

Example: "Chotto matte brah, I still tying my shoes."

Quick Actions

Related Pidgin Words

Pidgin & Local Culture Corner

Pidgin Grammar Tip

"Plurals in Pidgin are often formed by adding 'them' or 'dem' after the noun (e.g., 'The boy dem')."

Local Culture Fact

"A 'Hui' is a club, association, or group of people working toward a common goal."

Want to learn more? Check out our Learning Hub or Talk Story with Kimo!

Practice Your Pidgin

How Local You Stay?

Think you know how for use "chotto matte"?

Take the Quiz →