待機|たいきtaiki[1]atamadaka (head-high)

Common
Definitions
  1. noun, suru verb, intransitive verbstanding by; awaiting an opportunity; being on alert
    その実験じっけんを記録きろくしようと、大勢おおぜいの科学者かがくしゃが待機たいきした。↗
    A group of scientists stood by, ready to record the experiment.
  2. noun, suru verb, intransitive verbquarantine
Conjugation
Dictionary form待機する(たいきする)
Polite (masu)待機します(たいきします)
Negative (nai)待機しない(たいきしない)
polite (masen)待機しません(たいきしません)
classical zu / nu待機せず・待機せぬ(たいきせず・たいきせぬ)
Past (ta)待機した(たいきした)
polite (mashita)待機しました(たいきしました)
Past negative (nakatta)待機しなかった(たいきしなかった)
polite (masen deshita)待機しませんでした(たいきしませんでした)
Te form待機して(たいきして)
Potential待機できる(たいきできる)
Passive待機される(たいきされる)
Causative待機させる(たいきさせる)
Causative passive待機させられる(たいきさせられる)
Conditional (ba)待機すれば(たいきすれば)
tara待機したら(たいきしたら)
Volitional待機しよう(たいきしよう)
polite (mashou)待機しましょう(たいきしましょう)
Imperative待機しろ(たいきしろ)

Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.

Synonyms & antonyms
  • SynonymスタンバイNeutralA loanword for being fully ready and on standby, as in broadcasting or on stage; 「待機」 is the more general term.
  • Related待ち受けるまちうけるNeutralWaiting with preparations made, as in 「敵を待ち受ける」; 「待機」 is more about being on standby, ready for orders or an opportunity.
  • Related待つまつNeutralThe basic word for waiting, at home in both speech and writing; 「待機」 specifically means standing by, prepared for orders or an opportunity.
  • Antonym出動しゅつどうFormalFormal word for units or vehicles being dispatched into action, e.g. police responding; the opposite of 「待機」's standing by.
  • Antonym行動こうどうNeutralTaking action, actively doing something; the opposite of 「待機」.

Use 「待機」 for standing by ready for orders or opportunities, as in 「自宅待機」. For plain waiting use 「待つ」, for waiting in readiness 「待ち受ける」, for stage or broadcast standby 「スタンバイ」; the opposite is 「出動」.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

Japanese definitions
  1. 機会きかいや命令めいれいなどがあることに備そなえて待まつこと。
Kanji in this word
English equivalents

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