# How to Say Async/await in English: Tech Audio & Practice (2026)

> A JavaScript syntax feature that allows you to write asynchronous code that looks and behaves like synchronous code, making it easier to read and maintain.

- **Term:** async/await
- **Part of speech:** phrase
- **Pronunciation:** /ˈeɪsɪŋk əˈwɛt/
- **English level (CEFR):** C1
- **Register:** Neutral, Both
- **Region:** US and UK
- **Topic:** [Code and Git terms](https://app.speaktechenglish.com/learn/topics/software-development-terms.md)
- **Lesson:** https://app.speaktechenglish.com/learn/async-await
- **Last updated:** 2026-10-27

## Meaning

A JavaScript syntax feature that allows you to write asynchronous code that looks and behaves like synchronous code, making it easier to read and maintain.

Async/await is a modern way to handle asynchronous operations in JavaScript without using callbacks or promise chains. The async keyword declares that a function will handle asynchronous operations, while the await keyword pauses execution until a promise is resolved. This pattern has become the standard in modern JavaScript development because it improves code readability and error handling compared to older approaches like callbacks or .then() chains. In the workplace, developers use async/await when fetching data from APIs, reading files, or performing any operation that takes time without blocking the main thread. For example, a backend developer might use async/await to handle database queries, while a frontend developer might use it to fetch user data before rendering a component. The syntax makes it much clearer what happens and in what order, which reduces bugs and makes code reviews faster.

## When you hear it

During code review, a senior developer might suggest refactoring callback-heavy code to use async/await for better readability.

## Examples

- **in a standup:** "I finished the user authentication module yesterday by converting the callback functions to async/await."
- **in a code review:** "This code would be much cleaner if you used async/await instead of nested promise chains."
- **in a team meeting:** "The new junior developer is still learning async/await patterns, so we paired him with someone experienced."

## What native speakers say

- "We should refactor that function to use async/await"
- "This endpoint is already async/await-ready"
- "Let's wrap the API call in async/await to handle errors better"

## Common mistakes

- ✗ "Using await without wrapping it in an async function" → ✓ "Always wrap await calls inside an async function" (The await keyword only works inside async functions; using it elsewhere causes a syntax error)
- ✗ "Saying async/await replaces promises entirely" → ✓ "Say async/await is a cleaner syntax for working with promises" (Async/await is built on top of promises and depends on them; it is just syntactic sugar)
- ✗ "Forgetting to handle errors when using await" → ✓ "Wrap await calls in try/catch blocks or use .catch() methods" (Without error handling, rejected promises will crash your application)

## Be careful

Often confused with promises or callbacks. Async/await is a syntax pattern, not a concept that replaces asynchronous programming itself.

## Word forms

| Part of speech | Word | Example |
| --- | --- | --- |
| phrase | async/await | The team decided to implement async/await throughout the entire API layer. |
| adjective | async/await-based | Our async/await-based approach reduced response times significantly. |


## Collocations

- **use async/await**: The most common collocation; means to implement or employ the syntax
- **async/await syntax**: Refers to the specific grammatical structure and rules of async/await
- **refactor to async/await**: Means to rewrite existing code using the async/await pattern
- **async/await function**: A function declared with the async keyword that can use await
- **try/catch with async/await**: The standard way to handle errors in async/await code

## Synonyms

- **promise chains**: Older syntax for handling asynchronous code; less readable than async/await
- **callbacks**: Even older approach; async/await and promises are preferred in modern JavaScript
- **coroutines**: A computer science concept; async/await is the implementation of coroutines in JavaScript

## Opposites

- synchronous code
- blocking operations

## Practice

This lesson has 4 practice exercises with instant feedback on the page: https://app.speaktechenglish.com/learn/async-await

## FAQ

### What does async/await mean in software engineering?

Async/await is a JavaScript syntax pattern that simplifies writing asynchronous code. The async keyword marks a function as asynchronous, and the await keyword pauses execution until a promise resolves. It makes asynchronous code look similar to synchronous code, which is easier to understand and maintain.

### How do you use async/await in a sentence at work?

You can use it as a technical concept in discussions: I refactored the function to use async/await for better readability. Or as an adjective: The async/await approach is cleaner than callback-based code. Or in recommendations: We should convert this to async/await before shipping.

### Is async/await formal or informal?

Async/await is neutral in formality. It is technical jargon used equally in casual team conversations, code reviews, documentation, and formal presentations. The context of your sentence determines formality, not the term itself.

### What is the difference between async/await and promises?

Promises are the underlying JavaScript feature for handling asynchronous operations. Async/await is a modern syntax built on top of promises that makes code easier to read and write. All async/await code uses promises internally, but async/await looks cleaner and feels more like synchronous code.

### When should I use async/await?

Use async/await whenever you need to handle asynchronous operations like API calls, file reading, or database queries. It is the recommended approach in modern JavaScript for any function that waits for a promise or returns a promise. It is standard in professional codebases and expected in job interviews.


## Related

- [Promise](https://app.speaktechenglish.com/learn/promise.md)
- [Callback](https://app.speaktechenglish.com/learn/callback.md)
- [Error Handling](https://app.speaktechenglish.com/learn/error-handling.md)
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