how to say “to wait” (2 ways) in Hebrew

[audioclip url=”https://archive.ulpan.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/להמתין-#.m4a” /]לְחַכּוֹת, לְהַמְתִּין

The basic and commonly used word for to wait in Hebrew is לחכות[audioclip url=”https://archive.ulpan.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/להמתין-#.m4a” /].

For example:

[audioclip url=”https://archive.ulpan.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/להמתין-#.m4a” /]חבר’ה, חכו לי בחוץ, אני תיכף יורד.

Guys, wait for me outside, I’ll (a male) be right down.

לחכות is a פיעל verb.

But you may have encountered another word for to wait, one used mostly in official contexts such as a phone menu: להמתין[audioclip url=”https://archive.ulpan.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/להמתין-#.m4a” /].

For example:

[audioclip url=”https://archive.ulpan.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/להמתין-#.m4a” /]נא להמתין לנציג שהתפנה.

Please wait for a represenatitive who has become available.

להמתין is a הפעיל verb.