SpeeekDownload on the App Store
Back to At The Restaurant

German Phrase

Nein, ich brauche einen Moment.

/naɪ̯n ɪç ˈbʁaʊ̯xə ˈaɪ̯nən ˈmoːmɛnt/
Meaning"No, I need a moment."
💡

Meaning

Literally, “No, I need a moment.” It is used to politely decline an immediate request, indicating that the speaker needs a short amount of time before proceeding.

🎯

When to use

Use this phrase when someone asks you to do something right away, but you need a brief pause—e.g., before answering a question, before starting a task, or when you need a second to collect your thoughts.

✦Grammar Breakdown

NeinichbraucheeinenMoment

1

Nein

A simple, strong negation used as a standalone answer or to refuse politely.

2

ich

First‑person singular pronoun, always in the nominative case.

3

brauche

Present‑tense 1st‑person singular of the verb *brauchen* ‘to need’; it governs a direct object in the accusative.

4

einen

Indefinite article in the masculine accusative; it signals that the following noun is the object of *brauchen*.

5

Moment

Masculine noun meaning ‘moment’; in this sentence it is the accusative object of *brauchen*.

🗨In Conversation

A

Kannst du mir kurz beim Aufräumen helfen?

Can you help me tidy up quickly?

Nein, ich brauche einen Moment.

No, I need a moment.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Nein, ich brauche ein Moment.

    The noun *Moment* is the object of *brauchen* and must be in the accusative case, so the article must be *einen*.

  • Nein, ich braucht einen Moment.

    The verb must agree with the subject *ich*; the correct form is *brauche*, not *braucht* (3rd person).

  • Nein, ich brauche einen Momentes.

    Using the genitive *Momentes* is incorrect here; the accusative *Moment* is required.

↔Alternatives

  • Nein, ich brauche kurz Zeit.

    No, I need a short time.

  • Nein, ich muss kurz nachdenken.

    No, I have to think for a moment.

  • Nein, gib mir einen Moment.

    No, give me a moment.

de

Cultural Tip

In German, *Moment* and *Augenblick* are interchangeable for a brief pause. Using the accusative article (*einen Moment*) is essential; omitting it (*ein Moment*) sounds ungrammatical. The phrase is neutral and works in both informal and semi‑formal settings, but in very formal contexts you might say *Einen kurzen Augenblick, bitte.*