ten paciencia
/ten paθjenθja/from spelling rules
The English phrase "be patient" is translated into Spanish as ten paciencia.
This phrase is used as a request or command to tell someone to remain calm and wait without becoming annoyed.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is literally translated as "have patience" because it uses the imperative form of the verb tener (to have).
How does it change in a sentence?
The form you choose depends on who you are addressing. Use ten paciencia when speaking to a friend, family member or someone you address as tú. Use tenga paciencia when speaking to someone in a formal context or to a person you address as usted. If you are addressing a group of people, use tengan paciencia.
How do you pronounce it?
/ten paθjenθja/
Did you know?
- The word paciencia shares the same Latin root as the English word 'passion'. Originally, both referred to the act of enduring pain or suffering.
- If you are waiting for something to happen, you might say tengo paciencia de santo to imply you have the patience of a saint.
- If someone is being extremely impatient, a Spanish speaker might say se acabó la paciencia, literally meaning 'the patience ran out', treating it like a physical resource.
Examples in context
- Por favor ten paciencia.Please be patient.This sentence is useful for learning how to include "please" in the request.Tatoeba #5140810 by don_ramon, translation #2249766 by CK
- Ahora ten paciencia.Now be patient.This sentence is useful for using "now" with the phrase.Tatoeba #5140792 by don_ramon, translation #2249657 by CK
- En todo caso ten paciencia.Above all, be patient.This sentence is useful for expressing "above all" or "in any case" with the phrase.Tatoeba #1288960 by enteka, translation #24789 by CK
- María, sé paciente y espera un momento.Maria, be patient and wait a moment.
- Juan, ten paciencia, ya casi llegamos.Juan, be patient, we are almost there.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel and Sofía are waiting for a delayed train at the station.
- DanielEl tren se ha retrasado mucho.The train is very delayed.
- SofíaTen paciencia, Daniel, ya casi llega.Be patient, Daniel, it is almost here.
- DanielNo puedo esperar más tiempo.I cannot wait any longer.
- SofíaSolo ten paciencia un poco más.Just be patient a little longer.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries paciencia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
