en este momento
/en este momento/from spelling rules
The English phrase "at this time" is translated into Spanish as en este momento.
en este momento is used to refer to the present moment or the current period of time.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase en este momento literally translates to "in this moment".
Which one should you use?
While en este momento is the most common way to say "at this time", it is often used interchangeably with ahora mismo to emphasize the immediate present.
How do you pronounce it?
/en este momento/
Did you know?
- The word momento comes from the Latin 'mōmentum', which referred to the movement of a balance scale. It originally described the tiny tipping point where a scale shifts, rather than a unit of time.
- In Spanish, referring to the 'moment' can sometimes imply a request for patience. If a clerk says un momento, it functions as a polite command to wait, even if no specific amount of time is intended.
- If you are in a hurry, you might swap en este momento for ya mismo, which adds a sense of extreme urgency that 'at this time' lacks in English.
Examples in context
- Tom está muy ocupado en este momento.Tom is very busy at this time.This sentence shows how to use en este momento to describe someone's current state of being busy.Tatoeba #1235202 by hayastan, translation #1024776 by CK
- Los materiales de construcción son muy caros en este momento.Construction materials are very expensive at this time.This sentence uses en este momento to describe the current price of materials.Tatoeba #995809 by Shishir, translation #4415355 by XenoKat
- No podemos hacer nada respecto a ese problema en este momento.We can't do anything about that problem at this time.This sentence demonstrates using en este momento to express an inability to act on a problem currently.Tatoeba #2620057 by teskmon, translation #1893921 by CK
- Lamentablemente, en este momento no podemos atender su solicitud.Unfortunately, at this time, we cannot attend to your request.
- Los informes financieros se encuentran en revisión en este instante.The financial reports are currently under review at this moment.
- Los resultados del estudio se darán a conocer en este preciso momento.The study results will be announced at this very moment.
- ¿Podemos hablar ahora mismo?Can we talk right now?
- No puedo jugar contigo en este momento, pero luego puedo unirme.I can't play with you at this time, but I can join later.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Mateo are talking about a work project.
- Lucía¿Puedes hablar ahora?Can you talk now?
- MateoNo, no puedo en este momento.No, I cannot at this time.
- LucíaEstá bien, te llamo más tarde.It's okay, I'll call you later.
- MateoGracias, Lucía.Thanks, Lucía.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries en, este, momento, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
