If you need to pause the conversation or ask someone to wait one minute, you can say un minuto (one minute) or un momento (one moment) in Spanish. This can be a useful expression when you need someone to be patient with you, when you’re running a bit behind, or if you want to finish a task. Learn ways to express “one minute” in Spanish depending on the context.
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How to say ‘one minute’ in Spanish correctly
Why is it un minuto and not uno minuto? When you learned numbers in Spanish, you learned that uno indeed translates to the number “one” in Spanish. However, when used in a sentence, it sounds more natural to say un (a/one) in front of a masculine singular noun like minuto. In these examples, the numeral uno is shortened to un or changed to una in front of a feminine singular noun.
These expressions can be literal, such as in recipe recommendations where you beat eggs for one minute or let dough rest for one hour, or they can be used to indicate a short period of time, like un momentito (just a moment).
- un momento = one moment
- un segundo = one second
- un minuto = one minute
- una hora = one hour
- un día = one day
- una semana = one week
Ways to say ‘hang on one minute’ in Spanish
You could be on the phone or a videollamada (video call) and need to interrupt a conversation, or you might need to run into the next room for just a minute. Whatever your reason for needing someone to wait for you for a short amount of time, you can use expressions in Spanish similar to dame un minuto, por favor (give me one minute, please).
Informal ways to ask for a moment
When you want to say “give me one minute” in Spanish, the following use the casual tú forms of the verb, but still offer a degree of politeness.
| Spanish | English |
| Aguanta un momento, por favor. | Hold on one moment, please. |
| Dame un minuto, por favor. | Give me one minute, please. |
| Espera un segundo, por favor. | Wait one second, please. |
| Espérame un momentito, por favor. | Wait for me one sec, please. |
In casual or colloquial situations, or when you’re trying to get through something quickly, like transferring a call, you might leave out the verb and the por favor (please) and just use the phrase for time.
- Un momentito = just a sec
- Un minuto = one minute
Formal ways to request a moment
If the situation warrants a more formal use of usted forms of verbs, try these expressions to ask for “one minute” in Spanish.
| Spanish | English |
| Aguante un momento, por favor. | Hold on one moment, please. |
| Déme un minuto, por favor. | Give me one minute, please. |
| Espere un segundo, por favor. | Wait one second, please. |
| Espérame solo un momento, por favor. | Wait for me just one moment, please. |
| ¿Podrías esperar un segundo? | Could you wait one second? |
| Favor de esperar un minuto, por favor. | Please wait one minute. (often in writing or on screen) |
To soften the request even more, you can add a way to say “sorry” in Spanish, like disculpe (excuse me), or lo siento (I’m sorry).
Other expressions with ‘one minute’ in Spanish
Sometimes the phrase “one minute” is better translated as part of an idiomatic phrase. Here are a few expressions you’re likely to encounter.
de un minuto
If you just want to specify that the length of time of an event is only one minute, use the noun followed by the phrase de un minuto (one minute in length).
- Vamos a ver un video de un minuto. = We’re going to watch a one-minute video.
- Se necesita una descarga de un minuto. = You need a one-minute download.
- Escuché un discurso de un minuto. = I listened to a one-minute speech.
ni por un minuto/ni por un momento
This expression “not for one minute” or “not for one moment” in Spanish is great for expressions of incredulity or emphasis. If you’re a fan of a bit of exaggeration, this is a great phrase to emphasize your thoughts.
- No creía ni por un minuto que me abandonarías. = I didn’t believe (not) for one minute that you would abandon me.
- No dudé de ti ni por un momento. = I didn’t doubt you (not) for one moment.
- No puedo esperar ni un momentito más. = I can’t wait even (not) one more moment.
hace un minuto/hace un momento
Any time you want to say “ago” in Spanish, use hace and a measurement of time. Talk about the recent past, especially if you want to emphasize how recently the event occurred, with “one minute ago.”
- Hace un minuto, tú decías que querías aprender español. = One minute ago, you were saying that you wanted to learn Spanish.
- Se fue hace un momentito. = She left just one moment ago.
Key takeaways for ‘one minute’ in Spanish
Practicing a language takes patience, as does communication over the phone or video chat, completing a long list of tasks, or giving something your full attention. Use the phrases for “one minute” in Spanish to communicate clearly and appropriately.
- Un minuto (one minute) can be used alone or with verbs like espera (wait) and polite terms like por favor.
- You can also use the usted forms of verbs for some extra formality, like espere un momento, por favor.
- You don’t use uno for “one” in front of the nouns in this case. Choose un in front a masculine singular noun like minuto.
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