un segundo
/un seɡundo/from spelling rules
The English phrase "one second" is translated into Spanish as un segundo.
un segundo is used both to refer to a literal unit of time and as an idiomatic way to ask someone to wait briefly.
Which one should you use?
While un segundo is a direct translation of "one second", it is often used interchangeably with un momento to request a brief pause.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase follows standard noun-adjective agreement, where un is the masculine singular indefinite article matching the masculine noun segundo.
How do you pronounce it?
/un seɡundo/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, if you ask for un segundo to wait, you might find the person actually takes several minutes. Using literal units of time for social requests often results in much longer actual durations than the words suggest.
- The word segundo shares its roots with the verb seguir, meaning 'to follow'. This is because a 'second' is conceptually something that follows the 'first'.
- While un segundo is a literal second, if you want to sound more natural when asking someone to wait, you might switch to un momentito. Adding that diminutive suffix makes the request sound softer and less demanding.
Examples in context
- Por un segundo pensé que moriría.For one second I thought I would die.This sentence uses un segundo to describe a duration of time.Tatoeba #3353696 by marcelostockle, translation #825153 by jellorage
- Espera un segundo.Wait one second.This sentence uses un segundo as a request to wait.Tatoeba #4554560 by swyter, translation #1850244 by CK
- Somos capaces de viajar en el tiempo. Y lo hacemos a la excepcional velocidad de un segundo por segundo.We can travel through time. And we do at the remarkable rate of one second per second.This sentence uses un segundo to describe a rate of measurement.Tatoeba #1757066 by marcelostockle, translation #2284 by Dejo
- Disculpe, un momento, por favor.Excuse me, one second, please.
- Por favor, espere un instante mientras reviso su solicitud.Please wait a moment while I review your request.
- Dame un segundo para encontrar el documento que necesitas.Give me a second to find the document you need.
- Espera un momentito, necesito responder a este mensaje.Wait one second, I need to reply to this message.
- Dame un segundito, voy a buscar mi chaqueta.Give me a second, I'm going to get my jacket.
- Apártese un segundo para que pueda pasar.Move aside for a moment so I can pass.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro is looking for his phone while María is ready to leave.
- MaríaAlejandro, ¿estás listo para irnos?Alejandro, are you ready to leave?
- AlejandroUn segundo, María, no encuentro mi móvil.One second, María, I can't find my phone.
- María¡Date prisa, que llegaremos tarde!Hurry up, we are going to be late!
- AlejandroYa lo tengo, ya voy.I have it now, I'm coming.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries segundo, un, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
