Un momento
One moment
Phrase in 30 Seconds
The universal Italian way to ask someone to wait for a short period.
- Means: 'One moment' or 'Just a second' in almost any context.
- Used in: Shops, phone calls, or when you need time to think.
- Don't confuse: Never say 'uno momento'; the article is always 'un'.
Explanation at your level:
معنی
Asking for a brief delay.
زمینه فرهنگی
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.
معنی
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.
خودت رو بسنج
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'.
🎉 امتیاز: /4
ابزارهای بصری یادگیری
Formality Levels
سوالات متداول
12 سوالYes, 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.
عبارات مرتبط
un attimo
synonyma moment/instant
un secondo
similara second
aspetta
builds onwait (informal)
un istante
specialized forman instant
subito
contrastimmediately
کجا استفاده کنیم
At the Coffee Bar
Barista: Cosa prende?
Learner: Un momento, per favore... un cappuccino.
On the Phone
Amico: Sei pronto?
Learner: Un momento! Sto mettendo le scarpe.
In a Meeting
Collega: Quindi il progetto è finito?
Learner: Un momento, dobbiamo controllare i dati.
At the Supermarket
Cassiera: Sono dieci euro.
Learner: Un momento, cerco le monete.
During an Argument
Persona: È colpa tua!
Learner: Un momento! Non è come pensi.
Asking for Directions
Passante: Gira a destra, poi a sinistra...
Learner: Un momento, può ripetere lentamente?
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'UN MOMENT' in English, but add an 'O' at the end for 'Oh, wait!'
Visual Association
Imagine a giant Italian espresso cup with a clock face inside. You are holding up one finger to stop the clock while you take a sip.
Rhyme
Un momento, un sentimento. (A moment, a feeling.)
Story
You are in a busy Roman piazza. A waiter is rushing past with five plates. You shout 'Un momento!' He freezes like a statue, allowing you to ask for the bill. The whole piazza stops for your 'momento'.
Word Web
چالش
Next time you are about to do something, say 'Un momento' out loud and pause for 3 seconds. Do this 5 times today to build the muscle memory.
In Other Languages
Un momento
Pronunciation and the fact that 'uno' is never used before nouns in Spanish either, but learners often think it is.
Un moment / Un instant
French often prefers 'un instant' for polite waiting.
Einen Moment
German requires the accusative case ending '-en'.
ちょっと待って (Chotto matte)
It's a verb command rather than a noun phrase.
لحظة (Lahza)
The word 'Lahza' is feminine in Arabic, whereas 'Momento' is masculine.
等一下 (Děng yīxià)
Focuses on the action of waiting rather than the unit of time.
잠시만요 (Jam-si-man-yo)
Includes a politeness marker as part of the standard phrase.
Um momento
The nasal pronunciation of 'Um' vs the clear 'Un' in Italian.
Easily Confused
Learners use it to mean 'wait a moment'.
This means 'in a short time' (e.g., 'I'll finish it in a moment'), not 'wait a moment'.
Confused with 'un momento'.
'Al momento' means 'at the moment' or 'currently'.
سوالات متداول (12)
Yes, 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.
