un minuto
/un miˈnu.to/word by word
The English phrase "one minute" is translated into Italian as un minuto.
un minuto is used to ask someone to wait for a short period of time.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of un (one) and minuto (minute).
Which one should you use?
un momento is a very common alternative that translates to "a moment" and is used to ask someone to wait. In informal settings, you might also hear un attimo, which can be translated as "just a second" or "hang on".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Using un minuto alone when asking someone to wait is considered informal. Adding per favore makes it more polite. For example, Un minuto, per favore. is a formal way to say "one minute, please."
Is it said differently in some regions?
In northern Italy, the form Un momentin is used.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /un miˈnu.to/. It has 3 syllables, with the stress on the 2nd syllable.
Did you know?
- The Italian word minuto is a linguistic sibling to the English word 'menu'. Both come from the Latin 'minūtus', which meant 'small' or 'divided'.
- In Italy, the phrase un minuto is often accompanied by a gesture where the speaker holds their hand up with fingers slightly spread, signaling a pause.
- Depending on the tone, un minuto! can be used as an exclamation of disbelief, similar to how an English speaker might say 'Wait a second!' when hearing something shocking.
Examples in context
- Mi dia un minuto.Give me one minute.This sentence is useful for learning how to use un minuto in a request.Tatoeba #2131161 by Guybrush88, translation #3151509 by CK
- Dammi solo un minuto.Give me just one minute.This sentence shows how to use un minuto with the word "solo".Tatoeba #5069776 by Guybrush88, translation #3151518 by CK
- Un minuto, per favore.One minute please.This sentence demonstrates a formal way to use un minuto with "per favore".Tatoeba #12939084 by Guybrush88, translation #12911617 by araneo
- Scusa, ma devo stampare un documento. Posso avere un minuto, per favore?Excuse me, but I need to print a document. Can I have a minute, please?
- Aspetta un attimo, devo rispondere a questa chiamata.Wait a second, I need to answer this call.
- 19 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Francesco is looking for his keys in the hallway.
- MartinaFrancesco, sei pronto?Francesco, are you ready?
- FrancescoUn minuto, Martina, non trovo le chiavi.One minute, Martina, I can't find my keys.
- MartinaFai presto, stiamo per uscire.Hurry up, we are about to leave.
- FrancescoEccole! Andiamo.There they are! Let's go.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (un, minuto) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries minuto, un, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
