Un momento
/un moˈmen.to/word by word
The Italian phrase for "one moment" is Un momento.
Un momento is used as an interjection to ask someone to stop or wait. When using it to request that someone waits, it is often preceded by Aspetta (Wait) or Scusa (Excuse me/Sorry).
Meaning: Stop, wait (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is a literal translation of "one moment", where un means "one" and momento means "moment".
Which one should you use?
Un momento is slightly more formal or standard than the more colloquial un attimo, which often implies an even shorter duration.
How does it change in a sentence?
In Italian, Un momento can be translated as both "one moment" and "a moment" depending on the context.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /un moˈmen.to/. It has 3 syllables, with the stress on the second syllable.
Did you know?
- While un momento is standard, the more common un attimo comes from the Latin word for 'eye', implying a blink of an eye.
- In Italian, the phrase Un momento can be used to interrupt someone who is speaking to politely point out a mistake or a contradiction.
- The word momento shares its Latin ancestor, mōmentum, with the English word 'momentum', which originally referred to a small weight or a brief movement.
Examples in context
- Scusami un momento.Excuse me one moment.This sentence is useful for practicing the phrase Un momento.Tatoeba #4958044 by Guybrush88, translation #3168269 by CK
- Scusi, un attimo, per favore. Sto cercando un indirizzo.Excuse me, one moment, please. I am looking for an address.
- Signora, mi dia un momento, per cortesia. Sto cercando il documento richiesto.Madam, give me a moment, please. I am searching for the requested document.
- Professore, potrei chiederle di aspettare un attimo? Devo recuperare una fotocopia del materiale.Professor, may I ask you to wait a moment? I need to retrieve a photocopy of the material.
- Ragazzi, un attimino, per favore. Devo rispondere a questa chiamata.Guys, one moment, please. I need to answer this call.
- Aspetta un attimo, devo invitare anche Martina alla festa.Wait a moment, I need to invite Martina to the party too.
- Marco, dammi un secondo. Sto cercando le chiavi dell'auto.Marco, give me a second. I am looking for the car keys.
- Un momento, devo finire questo.One moment, I have to finish this.
- Aspetta un momento, per favore.Wait one moment, please.
Example conversation
Martina is looking for a document while talking to Alessandro.
- MartinaDove sono i fogli?Where are the papers?
- AlessandroSono sulla scrivania, Martina.They are on the desk, Martina.
- MartinaUn momento, non li vedo.One moment, I don't see them.
- AlessandroGuarda dietro il computer.Look behind the computer.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (un, momento) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries momento, un, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
