подожди минуту
podozhdi minutu
The English phrase "wait a minute" is translated into Russian as подожди минуту (podozhdi minutu).
Meaning: Translations (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the imperative verb подожди (wait) and the accusative noun минуту (minute).
Which one should you use?
You can also use подожди минутку to make the request sound softer and more casual by using the diminutive form of the noun. If you wish to say "wait a little bit" instead of a specific minute, you can use подожди немного.
How does it change in a sentence?
To address someone politely or to address a group of people (plural), you should use the verb подождите instead of the informal подожди. For example, the polite form is подождите минуту.
How do you pronounce it?
podozhdi minutu
Did you know?
- While подожди минуту is the direct translation, Russians often use the word секундочку (a little second) to ask someone to wait briefly. Using a 'second' instead of a 'minute' is actually more common in casual daily speech.
- If you want to say 'wait a second' to express disbelief, like 'Wait a minute, what did you say?', you would often use the particle погоди-ка.
- In Russian culture, asking someone to wait одну минуту (one minute) is often understood as a flexible timeframe that could actually mean five or ten minutes.
Examples in context
- Подожди минуту, я ещё не закончил.Wait a minute, I'm not finished yet.This sentence is useful for showing how to use подожди минуту when explaining that you are not finished.Tatoeba #8051090 by marafon, translation #6199514 by al_ex_an_der
- Эй, подожди минуту.Hey, wait a minute.This sentence shows a casual way to use подожди минуту as an exclamation.Tatoeba #5544171 by marafon, translation #3575413 by CK
- Подожди минуту, Мэри!Wait a minute, Mary!This sentence demonstrates using подожди минуту when addressing someone by name.Tatoeba #4356196 by odexed, translation #1901774 by Spamster
- Подождите минутку, пожалуйста.Please wait a minute.
- Подожди минутку, пожалуйста.Wait a minute, please.
- Подожди немного, я скоро вернусь.Wait a little bit, I'll be back soon.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sergey is trying to leave, but Maria needs him to stay for a second.
- Сергей SergeyМария, я уже спешу.Mariya, ya uzhe speshu.Maria, I am already in a hurry.
- Мария MariaПодожди минуту, Сергей.Podozhdi minutu, Sergey.Wait a minute, Sergey.
- Сергей SergeyЧто случилось?Shto sluchilos'?What happened?
- Мария MariaТы забыл свой телефон.Ty zabyl svoy telefon.You forgot your phone.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
