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How to Say "instant" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “instant” is “instante” — use 'instante' when referring to a very brief, specific moment in time, similar to 'a moment' or 'a second'.

English → Spanish

instante

een-STAHN-tehinˈstante

nounA1
Use 'instante' when referring to a very brief, specific moment in time, similar to 'a moment' or 'a second'.
A sudden, brilliant golden starburst flash illuminates a dark scene, symbolizing a brief moment in time.

Examples

Espera un instante, necesito encontrar mis llaves.

Wait an instant, I need to find my keys.

En ese instante, el mundo se detuvo para ella.

In that moment, the world stopped for her.

La tormenta pasó en solo unos instantes.

The storm passed in just a few moments.

Masculine Noun

Remember that 'instante' is always a masculine noun, so you must use 'un' or 'el' before it, never 'una' or 'la'.

Using the wrong preposition

Mistake: “Llegó a instante.”

Correction: Llegó en el instante (He arrived at the moment) or Llegó al instante (He arrived instantly). The most common preposition is 'en' or 'a la' for the common phrase 'al instante'.

inmediato

een-meh-dee-AH-tohinmeˈðjato

adjectiveA2
Use 'inmediato' when something needs to happen or be done with great speed, emphasizing promptness or urgency.
A finger is pressing a large red button, and instantly, a bright yellow light bulb positioned directly above the button illuminates brightly, symbolizing immediacy.

Examples

Necesitamos una respuesta inmediata.

We need an immediate answer.

El efecto de la medicina fue inmediato.

The effect of the medicine was instantaneous.

La atención de emergencia debe ser inmediata.

Emergency care must be prompt.

Adjective Agreement

As an adjective, 'inmediato' changes its ending to match the thing it describes: 'respuesta inmediata' (feminine) or 'efecto inmediato' (masculine).

instantáneo

adjectiveA2
Use 'instantáneo' to describe products, especially food, that are prepared or available very quickly, or for messages sent without delay.

Examples

El café instantáneo es muy práctico para las mañanas con prisa.

Instant coffee is very practical for busy mornings.

flash

flashˈflaʃ

nounB1
Use 'flash' specifically for a very brief, sudden burst of information, like a news flash.
An illustration of a news broadcasting van with a large antenna. A bright red emergency siren is spinning rapidly on the roof, symbolizing an urgent news report.

Examples

Interrumpimos la programación para un flash informativo.

We interrupt programming for a news flash.

Todo sucedió en un flash; no tuve tiempo de reaccionar.

Everything happened in an instant; I didn't have time to react.

Using 'en un flash'

This phrase is a quick way to say something happened very fast or instantly, similar to saying 'in the blink of an eye'.

suspiro

soo-SPEE-rohsusˈpiɾo

nounB1informal
Use 'suspiro' metaphorically to describe a task completed in an extremely short amount of time, often implying ease.
A single drop of water frozen in mid-air just before hitting a pond surface.

Examples

Limpió la casa en un suspiro.

He cleaned the house in a heartbeat.

Las vacaciones se pasaron en un suspiro.

The vacation went by in the blink of an eye.

Solo falta un suspiro para terminar el trabajo.

Only a tiny bit is left to finish the job.

Time Expressions

The phrase 'en un suspiro' works just like 'in a second' in English.

Instante vs. Inmediato

The most common confusion is between 'instante' and 'inmediato'. Remember, 'instante' refers to a tiny slice of time ('a moment'), while 'inmediato' describes the speed of an action or event ('immediately' or 'prompt'). Don't use 'instante' when you mean something needs to happen quickly.

Related Translations

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