just a minute!

Thanks semon and lisa!

I think shāoděng more polite

the two words show the same meaning, but are used in different types. shao deng is used in written Chinese most of the time, while deng yi xia is used orally.

seasonnice, could you write in english?

thanks jason and godfrey!

其实都一样~ 真的一样~~

There isn't much difference between the two. 稍 shao1, means 'a little bit', and 一下 yi2xia4 is also indicating a short period of time.

You tend to hear 稍等 shao1deng3 in more formal situations, like when being asked to wait on the phone, or by a service person. But it can be used in casual conversation as well.

Also note, you can combine them as well. (稍等一下 shao1deng3yi2xia4.) This usage is closer to simply 等一下 deng3yi2xi4.

When I see shāoděng, it is often used to counter an impatient individual. It is typically a request to wait for the speaker to finish what he is doing. As in, 'Hang on a moment will you, I'm just ...'

Děng yíxiàr seems to be more neutral.