What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is built from un (a), rato (while/moment) and the diminutive suffix -ito (little), making un ratito literally mean "a little moment".
Which one should you use?
Removing the diminutive suffix results in en un rato, which is more general and suggests a slightly less immediate timeframe.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
En un ratito is an informal and friendly way to say "in a little while". For a more polite or formal way to say "shortly" or "soon", you can use en breve.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, you may hear the colloquial alternative en un momentito instead of en un momento. You can also use the highly informal expressions en un plis plas or en un pis pas to mean "in a jiffy". In Latin America, en un momento is sometimes shortened to en un rato or en un momentito.
How does it change in a sentence?
By removing the diminutive suffix -ito from en un ratito, you get en un rato, which expresses a more general "in a while".
How do you pronounce it?
/en un ɾatito/
Did you know?
- Depending on the region and tone, the related word ahorita can paradoxically mean 'right now', 'in a few minutes', or even 'never'.
- Adding the diminutive suffix -ito to rato can actually make the timeframe feel more vague and longer to the listener, despite the word meaning 'little'.
- The word un in en un ratito is inherited from the Latin ūnus, which shares the same Proto-Indo-European ancestor as the English word 'one'.
Examples in context
- El cubito de hielo se fundirá en un ratito.The ice cube will melt in a little bit.This sentence shows how to use en un ratito to describe how long it will take for an ice cube to melt.Tatoeba #8686461 by arh, translation #9524921 by DJ_Saidez
- La reunión empezará dentro de un rato.The meeting will start in a little bit.
- Le enviaré el documento solicitado en breve.I will send you the requested document shortly.
- Voy a terminar este juego enseguida y luego jugamos juntos.I'll finish this game in a little bit, and then we can play together.
- Me preparo y salgo en un ratito.I'll get ready and leave in a little bit.
- El autobús llega dentro de poco.The bus is coming in a little bit.
- Te llamo en un ratito.I will call you in a little bit.
- La comida estará lista en un ratito.The food will be ready in a little bit.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Sofía are at home preparing for a guest.
- Alejandro¿A qué hora llega tu hermana?What time is your sister arriving?
- SofíaLlegará en un ratito, no te preocupes.She will arrive in a little bit, don't worry.
- AlejandroEstá bien, voy a limpiar la mesa.Alright, I am going to clean the table.
- SofíaGracias, Alejandro, eres muy amable.Thanks, Alejandro, you are very kind.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries en, ratito, un, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
