Meaning
Asking for a brief pause.
Cultural Background
In an Italian bar, everything happens fast. 'Dammi un attimo' is your shield against the pressure of a fast-moving line. Time is even more fluid here. An 'attimo' might last five minutes, and that's socially acceptable. On WhatsApp, 'un attimo' is often abbreviated or used as a sticker to show you are busy but present. In the fast-paced business world of Milan, 'dammi un attimo' is used to signal efficiency—'I just need a second to be perfect for you.'
The Magic Word
Adding 'per favore' (please) at the end makes 'dammi un attimo' much more polite if you're unsure about the formality.
Don't Overuse
If you say 'dammi un attimo' five times in a row, people will think you are disorganized!
Meaning
Asking for a brief pause.
The Magic Word
Adding 'per favore' (please) at the end makes 'dammi un attimo' much more polite if you're unsure about the formality.
Don't Overuse
If you say 'dammi un attimo' five times in a row, people will think you are disorganized!
The Hand Gesture
Italians often pair this with a hand gesture: holding the hand up with fingers slightly spread, or the 'pinched fingers' moving slightly.
Regional Diminutives
In Rome, you'll hear 'un attimino' constantly. It's a way to sound extra friendly and non-threatening.
Test Yourself
Complete the phrase to ask for a moment.
____ un attimo, sto arrivando!
The correct imperative form with the attached pronoun is 'Dammi'.
Which of these is the most formal way to say 'Give me a moment'?
Choose the formal option:
'Mi dia' is the formal imperative (Lei form).
Fill in the missing line in this dialogue.
A: 'Vuoi ordinare?' B: 'No, ____, non sono pronto.'
The context of not being ready to order requires asking for a moment.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You are on the phone and someone knocks on your door.
You need to pause the phone conversation to address the door.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
When to use 'Dammi un attimo'
Social
- • Friends
- • Family
- • Close Colleagues
Situations
- • Bar/Cafe
- • On the phone
- • At home
Practice Bank
4 exercises____ un attimo, sto arrivando!
The correct imperative form with the attached pronoun is 'Dammi'.
Choose the formal option:
'Mi dia' is the formal imperative (Lei form).
A: 'Vuoi ordinare?' B: 'No, ____, non sono pronto.'
The context of not being ready to order requires asking for a moment.
You are on the phone and someone knocks on your door.
You need to pause the phone conversation to address the door.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNot inherently, but it is informal. Use it with people you know. With strangers, use 'Mi dia un momento'.
In practice, nothing. 'Attimo' is slightly more common in casual conversation.
In Italian, pronouns must attach to the end of imperative verbs. The 'm' is doubled for phonetic reasons.
Only in a very casual email to a close colleague. Otherwise, use 'Le chiedo un momento'.
Literally a second, but culturally it can mean anything from 10 seconds to a couple of minutes.
Yes, but it sounds a bit more 'literal' and less like a set expression than 'attimo'.
Yes, it is a standard Italian expression used from North to South.
Say 'Dammi cinque minuti' (Give me five minutes).
Yes, in this context. It always refers to a short duration.
Yes! Just saying 'Un attimo!' is a very common way to tell someone to wait.
Related Phrases
un secondo
synonyma second
un istante
similaran instant
aspetta
builds onwait
subito
contrastimmediately
un attimino
specialized forma tiny moment
