等到 děngdào to wait until
to wait until; by the time when (something is ready etc)
How to remember 等到: 等 wait for + 到 arrive = to wait until.
Characters
How it is used
- Verb/conjunction introducing a time clause: 'once/by the time [X happens]'.
- 等到他来了，我们再走 (děngdào tā láile, wǒmen zài zǒu) - Once he arrives, we'll go.
- Contrast with plain 等 (děng, 'to wait'), which just means waiting without necessarily framing a following clause.
- Often paired with 再/就 in the second clause to mark what happens after the wait.
Example sentences
- 我会等到她来。 Wǒhuì děngdào tā lái.I will wait until she comes.
- 等到他回来吧。 Děngdào tā huílái ba.Let's wait till he comes back.
- 她一直等到中午。 Tā yīzhí děngdào zhōngwǔ.She waited all the way till noon.