instante
“instante” means “instant” in Spanish (a very brief moment).
instant, momentAlso: split second
📝 In Action
Espera un instante, necesito encontrar mis llaves.
A1Wait an instant, I need to find my keys.
En ese instante, el mundo se detuvo para ella.
A2In that moment, the world stopped for her.
La tormenta pasó en solo unos instantes.
B1The storm passed in just a few moments.
Word Connections
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Words that translate to "instante" in Spanish:
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: instante
Question 1 of 2
Which phrase correctly means 'He reacted immediately'?
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👥 Word Family
📚 Etymology
The word comes from the Latin *instāns*, which was the present participle of the verb *instāre* (to stand near, to urge). Because the present is always 'near' or 'pressing,' the word evolved in Spanish to mean a very short, immediate period of time.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'instante' interchangeable with 'momento'?
Yes, most of the time they are interchangeable, especially in everyday conversation. However, 'instante' often carries a stronger sense of brevity—it's a 'split-second,' whereas 'momento' can be a slightly longer, general period.
How do I say 'just a moment' using 'instante'?
You can say 'Espera un instante' or 'Dame un instante.' Both are common and perfectly natural ways to ask someone to wait briefly.