Moment
/moˈmɛnt/masculine
The English phrase 'moment' can be translated into German using Moment, Augenblick or Zeitpunkt.
Meaning: very brief period of time (noun)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Moment | /moˈmɛnt/ | masculine |
| Augenblick | /ˈaʊɡənblɪk/ /aʊɡənˈblɪk/ |
masculine |
| Zeitpunkt | /ˈtsaɪ̯tˌpʊŋkt/ | masculine |
Moment and Augenblick are used to describe a very brief duration of time. In contrast, Zeitpunkt refers to a specific, single point in time.
Which one should you use?
While Moment and Augenblick describe a brief period or duration, Zeitpunkt is used when you are referring to a specific point in time.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase im Moment (literally 'in the moment') is used to express the meaning 'currently' or 'at the moment'.
How do you pronounce it?
/moˈmɛnt/
Did you know?
- The word Moment comes from the Latin momentum, which originally referred to the movement of a scale or a tipping point rather than just a unit of time.
- The word Zeitpunkt treats time as a spatial map, using Punkt meaning 'dot' or 'point' to mark a precise coordinate on a timeline.
- While 'moment' is used in German, it is a direct loan from Latin, whereas Augenblick is the purely Germanic alternative.
Examples in context
- Tom lebt im Moment.Tom lives in the moment.This sentence shows how to use Moment to express living in the present.Tatoeba #7047172 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #7045745 by Hybrid
- Gib uns einen Moment!Give us a moment.This sentence demonstrates using Moment to ask someone to wait briefly.Tatoeba #8107103 by manese, translation #2648832 by CK
- Er kommt jeden Moment.He'll be here any moment.This sentence shows how to use Moment to indicate something will happen very soon.Tatoeba #2115584 by freddy1, translation #296496 by CK
- Ohne deinen Beitrag können wir den Erfolg in diesem Augenblick nicht vollständig schätzen.Without your contribution, we cannot fully appreciate the success in this moment.
- Ich helfe Ihnen in einer Sekunde, bitte haben Sie einen Moment Geduld.I'll assist you in a moment, please be patient.
- Momentchen, ich komme gleich zu dir.Wait a moment, I'll come to you right away.
- 435 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lukas and Hannah are at a cafe and Lukas is looking for his wallet.
- LukasWarte bitte einen Moment.Please wait a moment.
- HannahAlles klar, ich warte.All right, I'll wait.
- LukasIch habe ihn nur einen Moment gesucht.I only looked for it for a moment.
- HannahKein Problem, Lukas.No problem, Lukas.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “moment” translations and entries Moment, Augenblick, Zeitpunkt, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Augenblick, Moment, Zeitpunkt, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
