en un minuto
/en un minuto/from spelling rules
The English phrase "in a minute" is translated into Spanish as en un minuto.
The phrase en un minuto is used to mean that something will happen very soon. Much like in English, it is often used figuratively to express a short period of time rather than a literal sixty-second duration.
Meaning: very soon (prep_phrase)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the preposition en (in), the indefinite article un (a) and the noun minuto (minute).
How do you pronounce it?
/en un minuto/
Did you know?
- Depending on the country, a speaker might use ahorita instead of en un minuto to mean 'in a little bit', though 'ahorita' can famously mean anything from 'now' to 'never'.
- To express an even shorter duration than en un minuto, speakers often say en un santiamén, which refers to the blink of an eye or a 'moment of a saint'.
- The word minuto shares a common root with the Spanish word menudo, which refers to a traditional stew or something small and detailed.
Examples in context
- Vuelvo en un minuto.I'll be back in a minute.This sentence shows how to use en un minuto when promising to return.Tatoeba #13674277 by Seael, translation #1890866 by CK
- Estaré allí en un minuto.I'll be in there in a minute.This sentence demonstrates using en un minuto to indicate when you will arrive.Tatoeba #6606851 by UsuarioX, translation #2543115 by CK
- El café estará listo en un minuto.Coffee will be ready in a minute.This sentence shows how to use en un minuto regarding the readiness of an item.Tatoeba #3999533 by hayastan, translation #3733575 by CK
- El doctor estará disponible para atenderte en un instante.The doctor will be available to see you in a minute.
- La reunión comenzará dentro de un minuto.The meeting will start in a minute.
- Espérame en el café, estaré allí en un ratito.Wait for me at the cafe, I'll be there in a minute.
- ¡Tu comida estará lista enseguida!Your meal will be ready in a minute!
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and Lucía are getting ready to leave the house.
- Javier¡Vámonos ya, Lucía!Let's go now, Lucía!
- LucíaEspérame, termino de maquillarme en un minuto.Wait for me, I'll finish my makeup in a minute.
- JavierLlegaremos tarde al cine.We will be late to the cinema.
- LucíaNo te preocupes, estoy lista en un minuto.Don't worry, I'm ready in a minute.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries en, minuto, un, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
