Wat betekent “even wachten” in het Nederlands?

If even kijken is "let me check," even wachten is "hold on a sec." The even softens wachten into a brief, low-stakes pause. Dutch speakers use it when they need the listener to wait while they finish something — an action, a thought, a phone call. Even wachten is friendlier than the bare wachten (which would feel like a command) and shorter than moment (which is service-formal).

The phrase has a strong service-context life. Dutch receptionists, cashiers, and helpers say even wachten dozens of times a day. It also appears in family conversation: a Dutch parent finishing a task says even wachten to a kid asking for attention; a Dutch friend on a phone call says even wachten before muting to address something else.

A pragmatic note: even wachten hoor (just hold on) adds the hoor-softener for extra warmth — common when speaking to children or in customer service.