un instant
The English phrase "just a moment" is translated into French as un instant.
Un instant is used when you need to ask someone to wait for a short period of time. You can soften this request by saying un petit instant, which means "a little moment" and makes the request sound more polite or less abrupt.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the masculine indefinite article un (a) and the noun instant (moment/instant).
Which one should you use?
While un instant and un moment are often interchangeable, un instant typically implies a shorter, more immediate duration than un moment.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun instant is masculine, so it must be preceded by the masculine article un rather than the feminine une.
Did you know?
- French speakers frequently say deux minutes (two minutes) to ask someone to wait, even when the actual pause will only last a few seconds.
- The word instant is actually a descendant of the Latin word 'instans', which originally described something that was 'pressing' or 'urgent'.
- In French, if you are in a hurry and want someone to wait, you might hear un instant, but if you want to sound extremely casual or slightly impatient, you can shorten it to just un sec ! in some slang contexts, though un instant remains the standard.
Examples in context
- Attends juste un instant !Wait just a moment.This sentence shows how to use un instant to tell someone to wait just a moment.Tatoeba #4626839 by sacredceltic, translation #435746 by CK
- Un instant, s'il te plaît !Just a moment, please!This example uses un instant to say "just a moment, please!"Tatoeba #9989778 by Micsmithel, translation #1879670 by Asma
- Excusez-moi juste un instant.Excuse me just a moment.This sentence demonstrates an excuse using un instant.Tatoeba #7067718 by Aiji, translation #3822370 by CK
- 11 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas is looking for his keys in the hallway.
- LucasUn instant, je cherche mes clés.Just a moment, I am looking for my keys.
- ChloéTu les as dans ta veste, Lucas ?Do you have them in your jacket, Lucas?
- LucasAh oui, les voilà !Ah yes, here they are!
- ChloéParfait, on peut y aller.Perfect, we can go.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries instant, un, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
