Significado
Asking for a brief delay.
Contexto cultural
The 'Italian Minute': Saying 'un momento' might mean 10 seconds or 10 minutes. It's a way to acknowledge the other person while continuing what you're doing. In the South, 'un momento' is often accompanied by a specific hand gesture where the thumb and fingers are bunched together and moved towards the mouth. In a professional setting, 'un momento' is a polite way to ask for a delay without sounding incompetent. It shows you are busy but attentive. On Italian WhatsApp, 'un momento' is often used to stop a group chat from moving too fast when a major piece of news is shared.
The Finger Rule
Raise your index finger slightly when saying 'un momento' to be extra clear and polite.
No 'Uno'!
Never say 'uno momento'. It's the most common 'gringo' mistake in Italy.
Significado
Asking for a brief delay.
The Finger Rule
Raise your index finger slightly when saying 'un momento' to be extra clear and polite.
No 'Uno'!
Never say 'uno momento'. It's the most common 'gringo' mistake in Italy.
The 'Per Favore' Add-on
Always add 'per favore' in shops to sound like a local who knows their manners.
Regional Speed
In Milan, 'un momento' is fast. In Sicily, 'un momento' is a lifestyle.
Ponte a prueba
Fill in the correct article for 'momento'.
___ momento, per favore.
In Italian, masculine nouns starting with 'm' take the article 'un'.
Match the phrase to the best situation.
When would you say 'Un momento, non capisco'?
This phrase is used to pause the conversation for clarification.
Complete the dialogue.
Cameriere: 'Siete pronti per ordinare?' Cliente: 'No, ___.'
The customer needs more time to look at the menu.
Which of these is a more informal version of 'un momento'?
Choose the informal synonym.
'Un attimo' is the most common informal way to say 'one moment'.
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Ayudas visuales
Formality Levels
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejercicios___ momento, per favore.
In Italian, masculine nouns starting with 'm' take the article 'un'.
When would you say 'Un momento, non capisco'?
This phrase is used to pause the conversation for clarification.
Cameriere: 'Siete pronti per ordinare?' Cliente: 'No, ___.'
The customer needs more time to look at the menu.
Choose the informal synonym.
'Un attimo' is the most common informal way to say 'one moment'.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
12 preguntasYes, it is neutral. Adding 'per favore' makes it very polite.
No, that is Spanish. In Italian, it is always 'un momento'.
'Attimo' is slightly more informal and implies a shorter wait.
You can say 'un secondo' or 'un attimo'.
It's better to use 'un istante' or 'un breve ritardo' in formal writing.
Usually, but it can also mean a 'stage' or 'phase' of something.
Yes, 'momenti', used for 'moments'.
Use 'Aspettate un momento'.
Yes, it's a 'cute' diminutive version used informally.
The raised index finger is the most common.
Yes, but use a soft tone so you don't sound rude.
Constantly! It's a very rhythmic and emotional word.
Frases relacionadas
un attimo
synonyma moment/instant
un secondo
similara second
aspetta
builds onwait (informal)
un istante
specialized forman instant
subito
contrastimmediately
