What does it mean word for word?
Un instant is composed of un (one) and instant (moment/instant).
Which one should you use?
While Un moment and un instant are often interchangeable, un instant often implies a shorter and more immediate duration than un moment. In casual conversation, speakers often use une seconde (one second) instead of un instant.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Un instant is a polite and standard way to ask someone to wait and is suitable for both formal and informal settings. For more formal situations, you can use Un moment, s'il vous plaît (one moment, please) or the more elaborate Puis-je vous demander de patienter un instant? (May I ask you to wait for a moment?). In informal contexts, you might say Attends une seconde (wait a second) or Un petit moment, s'il te plaît (a little moment, please).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Acadian French, the phrase Un moment, s'te plaît is used to mean "one moment, please".
How does it change in a sentence?
To turn the phrase into a command, you can add the imperative verb attendre (to wait) at the beginning, such as in Attendez un instant.
Did you know?
- The word instant entered French as a 'learned borrowing', meaning it was consciously added by scholars from Latin rather than evolving through common speech.
- Adding the adjective petit to un moment acts as a linguistic softener to avoid sounding like a command, rather than actually shortening the time.
- In French, the phrase une seconde is often used as a social lubricant to signal politeness, even when the speaker knows the task will take several minutes.
Examples in context
- Un instant, s'il vous plaît.Just one moment, please.This sentence shows how to use Un instant with a polite request.Tatoeba #6044995 by PERCE_NEIGE, translation #2891671 by CK
- Attendez un instant.Hang on just one moment.This sentence demonstrates using the imperative verb with Un instant.Tatoeba #6045000 by PERCE_NEIGE, translation #2891223 by CK
- Excusez-moi, un instant.Excuse me for one moment.This sentence shows how to use Un instant as a polite interruption.Tatoeba #3954601 by Scorpionvenin14, translation #3168271 by CK
- Excusez-moi, un moment, s'il vous plaît. Je cherche le musée d'Orsay.Excuse me, one moment, please. I'm looking for the Musée d'Orsay.
- Puis-je vous demander de patienter un instant avant de répondre à cette question?May I ask you to wait for a moment before answering this question?
- Attends une seconde, je reviens tout de suite.Wait a second, I'll be right back.
- Est-ce que tu peux me laisser un petit moment, s'il te plaît? Je dois répondre à cet appel.Can you give me a little moment, please? I need to take this call.
- Excuse-moi, un instant, je t'en prie. Je dois prendre mes affaires avant de partir.Excuse me, one moment, I beg you. I need to grab my things before leaving.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma is looking for a file on her computer while Nathan waits.
- EmmaUn instant, je cherche le document.One moment, I am looking for the document.
- NathanPrends ton temps, Emma.Take your time, Emma.
- EmmaVoilà, je l'ai trouvé !There it is, I found it!
- NathanParfait, merci beaucoup.Perfect, thank you very much.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries instant, un, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
