What does it mean word for word?
لحظة واحدة is composed of لحظة (lahza), meaning "moment" and واحدة (wahida), meaning "one" (feminine).
Which one should you use?
While لحظة واحدة means "one moment", you can substitute the word for moment with دقيقة واحدة to say "one minute". You can also use انتظر لحظة to specifically mean "wait a moment".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
In polite or service-oriented contexts, you should add من فضلك to the phrase to say "one moment, please" (as in لحظة من فضلك). Similarly, دقيقة من فضلك means "one minute, please". For a formal way to say "wait a moment", use انتظر لحظة. In casual settings, you might say انتظر دقيقة to ask someone to wait a minute or انتظر شوية to say "wait a little".
How does it change in a sentence?
In casual speech, the word واحدة (one) is often dropped, leaving just لحظة to mean "a moment" or "wait".
How do you pronounce it?
lahza wahida
Did you know?
- The word لحظة (lahza) is etymologically linked to the concept of a 'glance' or 'look', suggesting that a 'moment' is the brief span of time it takes to cast a glance.
- Depending on the region, a gesture of raising the hand with the fingertips pinched together often accompanies لحظة to emphasize the shortness of the requested wait.
- In many Arabic-speaking cultures, saying لحظة often functions as a polite social 'buffer' to avoid an abrupt 'no' or 'stop', allowing the speaker to save face while delaying a request.
Examples in context
- لحظة واحدة من فضلك.lahzah wahidah min fadlak.One moment, please.
- انتظر، لحظة واحدة فقط.intazir, lahzah wahidah faqat.Wait, just one moment.
- لحظة واحدة، أنا أبحث عن مفاتيحي.lahzah wahidah, ana abhath 'an mafatihi.One moment, I am looking for my keys.
Example conversation
Yusuf is about to leave the house, but Nour calls out to him.
- نور Nourيوسف، لحظة واحدة!Yusuf, lahzah wahidah!Yusuf, one moment!
- يوسف Youssefماذا هناك يا نور؟madha hunaka ya Nour?What is it, Nour?
- نور Nourهل نسيت هاتفك؟hal nasita hatifaka?Did you forget your phone?
- يوسف Youssefشكراً لكِ، لقد نسيته حقاً.shukran laki, laqad nasituhu haqqan.Thank you, I really forgot it.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries لحظة, CC BY-SA 4.0.
