minuto
/miˈnuto/masculine
The Spanish word for "minute" is minuto.
minuto refers to a unit of time. In Spanish, 'un minuto' is frequently used figuratively to mean 'a short moment' rather than exactly sixty seconds.
Meaning: unit of time (noun)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of minuto is minutos.
How do you pronounce it?
/miˈnuto/
Did you know?
- In a legal or formal context, minutar is a verb meaning to draft a document. This stems from the idea of creating a 'minute' or rough sketch of a final text.
- The Spanish word minuto shares a common ancestor with the word menudo, which refers to a traditional soup or refers to things that are 'small' or 'trifling'.
- While minuto is the standard word, Spanish speakers often use momentito in place of un minuto when asking someone to wait. This uses a double diminutive to sound even more polite and brief.
Examples in context
- ¿Me dan un minuto?Can I have a minute?This sentence is useful for asking for a minute using the form minuto.Tatoeba #3564931 by ficion, translation #3327457 by CK
- Solo dame un minuto.Just give me a minute.This sentence is useful for asking someone to give you a minute using the form minuto.Tatoeba #3469167 by cueyayotl, translation #3151361 by CK
- Solo dale un minuto.Just give it a minute.This sentence is useful for asking someone to give it a minute using the form minuto.Tatoeba #3883647 by cueyayotl, translation #3151374 by CK
- La reunión empezará en diez minutos.The meeting will start in ten minutes.
- Espérame un minutito, por favor.Wait for me just a minute, please.
- Voy a estar allí en un momento.I'll be there in a minute.
- 170 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena and Javier are waiting for a bus.
- Elena¿Cuánto falta para que llegue el autobús, Javier?How long until the bus arrives, Javier?
- JavierCreo que viene en un minuto.I think it is coming in a minute.
- ElenaQué bueno, tengo mucha prisa.That is good, I am in a big hurry.
- JavierNo te preocupes, Elena, ya casi llega.Don't worry, Elena, it is almost here.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “minute” translations and entries minuto, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries minuto, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
