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Questions & Answers about Wacht nog een seconde.
Why is wacht used here instead of wachten?
Wacht is the imperative form of the verb wachten (to wait).
- wachten = infinitive, the dictionary form
- wacht! = command to one person, like wait!
So Wacht nog een seconde. means Wait another second.
For commands in Dutch, you usually use the bare verb stem:
- lopen → Loop!
- komen → Kom!
- wachten → Wacht!
Is Wacht singular, plural, formal, or informal?
By itself, Wacht is usually an imperative directed at one person, often in an informal way.
If you want to be more explicit or formal, Dutch can also use:
- Wacht! = wait! (usually to one person)
- Wacht even! = wait a moment!
- Wacht u even. = please wait a moment (formal/polite)
- Wachten jullie even. = wait a moment, you all
In everyday speech, Wacht nog een seconde sounds natural when speaking casually to one person.
What does nog mean here?