queda un minuto
/keda un minuto/from spelling rules
The English phrase "one minute left" is translated into Spanish as queda un minuto.
This phrase is used to indicate that there is only one minute of time remaining before a deadline or event ends.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, the phrase translates to "one minute remains". The word queda is the third-person singular form of the verb quedar, which means "to remain" or "to be left".
Which one should you use?
You can also use falta un minuto. This alternative uses the verb faltar, which means "to be lacking" or "to be missing".
Did you know?
- In Spanish, the verb quedar is used not only for time but also to describe the act of meeting up with friends, such as quedamos a las seis meaning 'let us meet at six'.
- While queda un minuto counts down to an end, faltar is often used in Spanish to express a feeling of longing or missing someone, like me faltas tú meaning 'I miss you'.
- The term minuto is built from a Latin root meaning 'small' or 'cut', which also gives us the Spanish word menudo used for thin or chopped foods.
Examples in context
- Queda un minuto para que la reunión finalice.There is one minute left for the meeting to end.
- ¡Rápido, solo queda un minuto!Quick, there is only one minute left!
- Solo queda un minuto para el final.There is only one minute left until the end.
- ¡Rápido, queda un minuto para entregar el examen!Quick, there is one minute left to hand in the exam!
- A la película le queda un minuto.There is one minute left in the movie.
Example conversation
Elena and Alejandro are finishing a timed cooking challenge.
- ElenaAlejandro, ¡corre que queda un minuto!Alejandro, hurry, there's one minute left!
- Alejandro¡Casi termino de decorar el plato!I'm almost finished decorating the plate!
- ElenaDate prisa o no llegaremos a tiempo.Hurry up or we won't make it in time.
- Alejandro¡Listo, ya lo tenemos!Done, we've got it!
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries minuto, queda, un, CC BY-SA 4.0.
