What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the masculine indefinite article un (a) and the noun instant (moment/instant).
Which one should you use?
While un instant is common, un moment is also used and is largely interchangeable, though un instant often implies a slightly shorter, more immediate duration.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a formal request, you can use Attendez un instant, Veuillez patienter un moment or Je vous prie de patienter quelques instants. Adding je vous prie to the end of a phrase, such as in Un instant, je vous prie, makes the request highly polite and formal. For informal situations, use Attends un instant, Attends une seconde or Attends un peu.
How does it change in a sentence?
When using the imperative to tell someone to wait, use Attends un instant for friends or family (the tu form) and Attendez un instant for strangers or formal situations (the vous form).
Did you know?
- The word instant is a learned borrowing from the Latin word instans, which originally meant 'standing near' or 'pressing'.
- To tell someone to wait in an informal or slightly impatient way in France, people frequently use the phrase deux minutes, which literally translates to 'two minutes'.
- In luxury hotels or high-end service, the phrase un instant is often replaced by Je vous prie de patienter, which frames the act of waiting as a formal virtue.
Examples in context
- Veuillez patienter un instant, ne quittez pas.Please wait a moment and don't hang up.This sentence shows how to use un instant when asking someone to stay on the line.Tatoeba #12303044 by lbdx, translation #951250 by CK
- Attendez un instant.Wait a moment.This sentence is a simple way to use un instant to tell someone to wait.Tatoeba #6045000 by PERCE_NEIGE, translation #410597 by CK
- « Allô ? Puis-je parler à Marie ? » « Un instant, je vous prie. »"Hello? May I speak with Mary?" "Please wait a moment."This sentence demonstrates a highly polite way to use un instant during a telephone conversation.Tatoeba #11259733 by Micsmithel, translation #2290867 by ichivivi20
- Vous demandez à un vendeur dans un magasin: "Attendez un instant"You ask a salesperson in a store: "Wait a moment"
- Veuillez patienter un moment, s'il vous plaîtPlease wait a moment
- Attends un peu, s'il te plaîtWait a moment, please
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma is looking for her keys in her bag while Gabriel is waiting by the door.
- EmmaAttends un instant, je ne les trouve pas.Wait a moment, I can't find them.
- GabrielPrends ton temps, Emma.Take your time, Emma.
- EmmaAh, un instant ! Les voilà !Ah, one moment! Here they are!
- GabrielC'est bon, on peut y aller.Great, we can go now.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries instant, un, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
