un minuto
/un minuto/from spelling rules
The English phrase "one minute" is translated into Spanish as un minuto.
un minuto refers to a short period of time used to ask someone to wait briefly. While it literally means sixty seconds, it is often used idiomatically to mean "a moment" or "a second" in a figurative sense. To use this phrase as a polite command to ask someone to wait, it is common to add por favor (un minuto, por favor).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In certain Latin American countries like Mexico, Un ratito is a colloquial way to say "one minute".
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the masculine singular article un to agree with the masculine singular noun minuto.
How do you pronounce it?
/un minuto/
Did you know?
- The word minuto shares a root with menudo, which in Spanish describes something small or finely chopped. Both come from the Latin 'minūtus', meaning 'small' or 'clipped'.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, saying un minuto or un ratito is often treated as a vague social signal rather than a literal time limit. It can sometimes mean anything from ten seconds to an indefinite amount of time.
- While un minuto is perfectly understood, many Spanish speakers prefer to say un momentito or un segundito to sound more friendly and less abrupt.
Examples in context
- Dame sólo un minuto.Give me just one minute.This sentence shows how to use un minuto to ask someone to give you time.Tatoeba #5069329 by pinfano, translation #3151518 by CK
- Un minuto, por favor.One minute please.This sentence demonstrates how to use un minuto politely with por favor.Tatoeba #4489593 by cueyayotl, translation #12911617 by araneo
- Un minuto, enseguida llego.One minute, I'll be there shortly.This sentence shows how to use un minuto when promising to arrive shortly.Tatoeba #13474570 by Seael, translation #13596024 by frpzzd
- Un momento, por favor. ¿Dónde se encuentra la sección de libros?One minute, please. Where can I find the book section?
- Solo un instante, por favor. Estoy preparando los documentosJust a moment, please. I'm preparing the documents.
- Espera un momentito, tengo que atar mis zapatosWait a minute, I need to tie my shoes
- Dame un segundo, aún no he decididoGive me a second, I haven't decided yet
- 11 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo is looking for his keys while Elena waits by the door.
- MateoDame un minuto, Elena.Give me one minute, Elena.
- Elena¿Necesitas un minuto más?Do you need one more minute?
- MateoSí, solo un minuto.Yes, just one minute.
- ElenaEstá bien, no hay problema.It's okay, no problem.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries minuto, un, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
