Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA |
|---|---|
| aspettare un po' | |
| aspettare un attimo | /as.petˈta.re un ˈat.ti.mo/ (word by word) |
| aspettare un momento | /as.petˈta.re un moˈmen.to/ (word by word) |
| aspettare un istante | |
| attendere | /atˈtɛn.de.re/ |
These phrases ask someone to wait briefly. In real conversation you use the verb in the command form, so telling a friend to hold on is Aspetta un attimo. In speech, un attimo on its own is also used as a quick "hold on" or "just a moment".
What does it mean word for word?
un po' literally means "a little bit", so aspettare un po' is "wait a little bit". attimo, momento and istante all mean a moment or an instant.
Which one should you use?
aspettare un attimo is more common in casual everyday conversation than aspettare un momento. aspettare un istante sounds a little more careful. attendere is a more formal verb than aspettare, used in professional or written contexts, as in Attendere, per favore. (please wait).
How does it change in a sentence?
With a friend, use the informal command aspetta un attimo. With a stranger or a superior, use the polite form aspetti un attimo. Very polite requests include La prego di aspettare un istante. and Mi conceda un attimo, per cortesia. (please allow me a moment).
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use the infinitive aspettare when speaking directly to someone. Say aspetta to a friend or aspetti to someone you address formally.
When do people say it?
Among friends you may also hear Ti prego, dammi un secondo, meaning "Please, give me a second."
Did you know?
- The word attimo comes from the Latin word for 'atom'. In ancient times, an atom was seen as the smallest possible unit of matter and time.
- In very formal situations, like on a telephone or in a shop, you might hear the command Attendere, which uses the infinitive instead of a personal command.
- In a crowded Italian cafe, a waiter might say un attimo without any other words to stop a customer from ordering while they are busy.
Examples in context
- Devo aspettare un po' prima di uscire.I have to wait a minute before going out.
- Puoi aspettare un po' in corridoio?Can you wait a minute in the hallway?
- Non posso aspettare un po', sono in ritardo.I cannot wait a minute, I am late.
Example conversation
Martina is looking for her keys while Matteo is ready to leave.
- MartinaMatteo, devi aspettare un po'!Matteo, you have to hold on a bit!
- MatteoPerché? Siamo già in ritardo.Why? We are already late.
- MartinaNon trovo più le chiavi di casa.I can't find the house keys anymore.
- MatteoVa bene, cerco io con te.All right, I'll look with you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hold on” translations and entries attendere, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (aspettare, un, attimo, momento) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries aspettare, attimo, istante, momento, un, CC BY-SA 4.0.
