What does it mean word for word?
The part no cuelgue literally means "do not hang up", where cuelgue is the formal imperative form of the verb colgar (to hang up).
Which one should you use?
While Por favor, no cuelgue is a direct instruction, Por favor, espere un momento (Please wait a moment) is a more common and polite way to ask a caller to hold in a professional setting.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For even more formal situations, you can use Por favor, espere en la línea (Please wait on the line) or the highly formal Le ruego que espere en la línea (I beseech you to wait on the line). In professional customer service environments, the phrase Manténgase a la espera (Stay on the line / Stay waiting) is also a common formal alternative.
How does it change in a sentence?
If you are speaking to someone you know well or using an informal tone, you should use the form no cuelgues instead.
Did you know?
- In Spanish, the word colgar is also used as slang in some countries to describe someone who is distracted or has 'zoned out' from a conversation.
- The verb colgar used in the phrase originally meant to hang something up on a hook. It survives in modern Spanish to mean 'to hang up the phone' even though most phones no longer have hooks.
- If you are using the formal no cuelgue in a business setting, you might also hear no interrumpa la comunicación, which is a more sophisticated way to ask someone not to disconnect.
Examples in context
- Por favor, espere en la línea mientras transfiero su llamada al departamento de ventas. Gracias.Please wait on the line while I transfer your call to the sales department. Thank you.
- Por favor, no cuelgue, un momento por favor.Please don't hang up, one moment please.
- Por favor, no cuelgue, voy a buscar el archivo.Please hold on, I am going to look for the file.
- Por favor, no cuelgue, la conexión es mala.Please hold on, the connection is bad.
- Por favor, no cuelgue, le paso con mi jefe.Please hold on, I will transfer you to my boss.
Example conversation
Lucía is calling Alejandro at his office to ask a question.
- AlejandroHola, ¿dígame?Hello, how can I help you?
- LucíaHola, Alejandro, ¿está el director?Hello, Alejandro, is the director there?
- AlejandroPor favor, no cuelgue, voy a ver si está.Please hold on, I will see if he is here.
- LucíaEstá bien, gracias.Okay, thank you.
