A1 Expression Formal

Um momento, por favor.

One moment, please.

Significado

A polite request for someone to wait briefly.

🌍

Contexto cultural

The 'Minutinho' culture: Brazilians use diminutives to soften requests. 'Um minutinho' sounds friendlier and less demanding than 'Um momento'. Directness: In Portugal, people may be more direct. 'Um momento' is often followed by 'faz favor' instead of 'por favor' in traditional shops. Respect for Elders: When using this phrase with an older person, it's common to add a title like 'Senhor' or 'Senhora' for extra respect. Social Harmony: Politeness is key to maintaining 'marrabenta' (social rhythm). Using 'por favor' is essential even in very brief interactions.

🎯

The Hand Gesture

In Brazil, raising your index finger while saying this makes the request much more effective and culturally natural.

⚠️

Don't Forget the Comma

When texting, always use the comma. 'Um momento por favor' looks like a frantic run-on sentence.

Significado

A polite request for someone to wait briefly.

🎯

The Hand Gesture

In Brazil, raising your index finger while saying this makes the request much more effective and culturally natural.

⚠️

Don't Forget the Comma

When texting, always use the comma. 'Um momento por favor' looks like a frantic run-on sentence.

💬

The Diminutive Trick

If you are running late, say 'Um minutinho'. It psychologically makes people feel the wait is shorter!

Ponte a prueba

Choose the correct masculine form of the phrase.

___ momento, por favor.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: Um

'Momento' is masculine singular.

Complete the dialogue with the most polite response.

Waiter: 'Você está pronto para pedir?' Learner: 'No, ________.'

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: Um momento, por favor

This is the standard polite way to ask for more time.

Match the phrase variation to the correct setting.

Which phrase is best for a formal bank setting?

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: Aguarde um momento, por favor.

'Aguarde' is the formal imperative of 'to wait'.

Fill in the missing politeness marker.

Um momento, ___ _____.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: por favor

'Por favor' is the standard way to complete this request.

🎉 Puntuación: /4

Ayudas visuales

Ways to say 'Wait'

👔

Formal

  • Aguarde um instante
  • Um momento, por favor
👕

Informal

  • Só um minutinho
  • Espera aí
🛹

Slang

  • Peraí
  • Segura a onda

Banco de ejercicios

4 ejercicios
Choose the correct masculine form of the phrase. Choose A1

___ momento, por favor.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: Um

'Momento' is masculine singular.

Complete the dialogue with the most polite response. dialogue_completion A1

Waiter: 'Você está pronto para pedir?' Learner: 'No, ________.'

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: Um momento, por favor

This is the standard polite way to ask for more time.

Match the phrase variation to the correct setting. situation_matching A2

Which phrase is best for a formal bank setting?

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: Aguarde um momento, por favor.

'Aguarde' is the formal imperative of 'to wait'.

Fill in the missing politeness marker. Fill Blank A1

Um momento, ___ _____.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: por favor

'Por favor' is the standard way to complete this request.

🎉 Puntuación: /4

Preguntas frecuentes

10 preguntas

Yes, it can sound like a command. Always add 'por favor' to stay safe.

Yes, 'Um segundo' is very common and slightly more casual.

'Instante' is more formal and often used in writing or professional scripts.

The phrase remains the same: 'Um momento, por favor.'

Yes, 'Um momento, faz favor' is very common in Portugal.

Yes, but it's better to start with 'Com licença, um momento...'

No, stick to 'Um momento, por favor' to remain professional.

Because 'momento' is a masculine noun.

It's a slang contraction of 'Espera aí' (Wait there).

Yes, with a sharp tone, it can be used to tell someone to stop talking.

Frases relacionadas

🔄

Só um segundo

synonym

Just a second

🔗

Aguarde um instante

specialized form

Wait an instant

🔗

Com licença

similar

Excuse me

🔗

Espera aí

informal

Wait there

🔗

Já volto

builds on

I'll be right back

¿Te ha servido?
¡No hay comentarios todavía. Sé el primero en compartir tus ideas!