Espera
informal
In the Dominican Republic you say Espera or Espérate to tell someone to wait. Un momentito is a polite "just a moment".
Meaning: imperative asking someone to wait (verb)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | Note |
|---|---|
| Espera | informal |
| Un momentito | polite |
| Espérate | informal, emphatic |
Dominicans often use the diminutive momentito to make a request softer.
How does it change in a sentence?
For a person you address as usted the form is Espere. Espérate adds te and sounds more emphatic.
Did you know?
- The diminutive ending -ito is used in many Caribbean expressions to sound friendlier.
Examples in context
- Espera, ya voy.Wait, I am coming.
- Espérate, no te vayas.Wait, do not leave.
- Un momentito, por favor.Just a moment, please.
Example conversation
Carolina asks her brother to wait at a bus stop in Santo Domingo.
- CarolinaEspérate, que se me quedó el celular.Wait, I left my phone.
- HermanoApúrate.Hurry up.
- CarolinaUn momentito.Just a moment.
