기다리다 vs 대기하다
Korean word comparison
Listen to 기다리다
Listen to 대기하다
| 기다리다 | 대기하다 |
|---|---|
gi-DA-ri-da verb | dae-gi-ha-da verb |
| to wait, to stay in expectation for someone or something | to wait; to stand by — often used for being on standby or waiting in a designated place. |
How they differ
대기하다 is more formal and often implies waiting in a specific place or being 'on standby' (e.g., staff, systems, queues), while 기다리다 is the neutral, general verb for waiting used in everyday speech and personal contexts.
When to use each
When to use 기다리다: Prefer 기다리다 for neutral, everyday situations when you or someone waits for a person or thing.
When to use 대기하다: Prefer 대기하다 in formal notices, technical contexts, or when emphasizing standing by, organized queues, or someone/something being on standby.
Side-by-side examples
- 나는 친구를 한 시간 동안 기다렸다.
(I waited for my friend for an hour.) - 버스 고장으로 승객들은 정류장에서 대기해야 했다.
(Because the bus broke down, the passengers had to wait (stand by) at the stop.)
Register & nuance: 대기하다 is more formal and common in written, official, or technical contexts; 기다리다 is everyday spoken language.