un minuto, por favor
/un miˈnuto poɾ faˈboɾ/word by word
The English phrase "one minute, please" is translated into Spanish as un minuto, por favor.
This phrase is used as a polite request for a short amount of time to wait before the speaker is ready.
Which one should you use?
You may also hear Espera un minuto, por favor (Wait a minute, please) or Dame un segundo, por favor (Give me a second, please).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In certain Latin American countries, instead of dame un segundo, speakers may use dame un momentito or dame un momentico. Additionally, in some regions, permítame un momento can be expressed as permíteme un instante.
How do you pronounce it?
/un miˈnuto poɾ faˈboɾ/
Did you know?
- While un minuto literally means 'one minute', in many Spanish-speaking cultures it is used as a general expression of patience that can actually last several minutes or even much longer.
- The word minuto comes from the Latin minūtus, which means 'small' or 'clipped'. This is the same root that gave Spanish the word menudo, used to describe something tiny or a specific type of tripe stew.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, saying un minuto might be accompanied by a specific hand gesture, such as a slight lifting of the hand, to signal the pause visually.
Examples in context
- Un minuto, por favor. ¿Podría ampliar esa información?One minute, please. Could you further explain that information?
- Permítame un momento, por favor. Me gustaría hacer una pregunta.Allow me a moment, please. I would like to ask a question.
- Espera un minuto, por favor. Quiero revisar el menú.Wait a minute, please. I want to check the menu.
- Un minuto, por favor, estoy buscando las llaves.One minute, please, I am looking for the keys.
- Un minuto, por favor, que no encuentro mi cartera.One minute, please, I can't find my wallet.
- Un minuto, por favor, estoy terminando el correo.One minute, please, I am finishing the email.
Example conversation
Javier is waiting for Lucía to get ready to leave the house.
- LucíaJavier, un minuto, por favor.Javier, one minute, please.
- Javier¿Estás casi lista, Lucía?Are you almost ready, Lucía?
- LucíaSí, solo me pongo los zapatos.Yes, I am just putting on my shoes.
- JavierMuy bien, te espero aquí.Very well, I will wait for you here.
