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How to Say "moment" in Spanish

English → Spanish

momento

/mo-MEN-to//moˈmento/

nounA1general
Use 'momento' to refer to a general point in time or a specific occasion, similar to how you might use 'moment' in English.
A person pausing to look at a beautiful sunset, capturing a single, peaceful moment in time.

Examples

Espera un momento, por favor.

Wait a moment, please.

Fue un momento muy especial para nosotros.

It was a very special moment for us.

En este momento, estoy ocupado.

At this moment, I'm busy.

Using 'un momento'

This is often used just like 'just a second' or 'hold on' in English. It's a very common and polite way to ask someone to wait.

Not the same as 'minuto'

Mistake: “Using 'momento' when you mean exactly 60 seconds.”

Correction: 'Un momento' is a general, short period of time. Use 'un minuto' if you are specifically talking about sixty seconds.

instante

een-STAHN-teh/inˈstante/

nounA1general
Choose 'instante' when you want to emphasize a very brief, immediate period of time, like 'an instant'.
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'.

segundo

/seh-GOON-doh//seˈɣun.do/

nounA1informal
Use 'segundo' informally to mean a very short period, often when asking someone to wait briefly.
A friendly cartoon character quickly raising a single finger to signal a very brief pause or moment.

Examples

Espera un segundo, por favor.

Wait a second, please.

La película dura una hora, veinte minutos y diez segundos.

The movie is one hour, twenty minutes, and ten seconds long.

Volveré en un segundo.

I'll be back in a moment.

minuto

/mee-NOO-toh//miˈnuto/

nounA1general
While 'minuto' literally means 'minute', it can be used informally to refer to a very short, unspecified period of time, sometimes overlapping with 'momento' or 'segundo'.
A classic, simple hourglass standing on a table with sand actively flowing from the top chamber to the bottom chamber, symbolizing the passage of 60 seconds.

Examples

La reunión empieza en cinco minutos.

The meeting starts in five minutes.

Espera un minuto, por favor. Ya casi termino.

Wait a minute, please. I'm almost done.

Corrió la milla en menos de seis minutos.

He ran the mile in under six minutes.

Making it Plural

Just like in English, if you have more than one, you need to add an 's'. For example, 'un minuto' (one minute) becomes 'dos minutos' (two minutes).

Using 'un' vs. 'uno'

Mistake: “Necesito uno minuto.”

Correction: Necesito un minuto. Before a masculine word like 'minuto', always use 'un' for 'one' or 'a'. 'Uno' is for counting ('uno, dos, tres') or when it stands alone.

Choosing between 'momento', 'instante', and 'segundo'

The most common mistake is overusing 'momento' for every brief waiting situation. While 'momento' is versatile, remember 'instante' implies even less time, and 'segundo' is the most informal for brief waits.

Related Translations

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