Spanish Phrase
Espera un momento.
Meaning
Literally ‘Wait a moment.’ It’s a polite request for someone to pause briefly, often followed by ‘por favor’ for extra courtesy.
When to use
Use in everyday conversation with friends, coworkers, or service staff when you need a short pause. Switch to the formal imperative ‘Espere un momento’ when speaking to strangers, elders, or in professional settings.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Esperaunmomento
Imperative of esperar
‘Espera’ is the informal (tú) affirmative imperative of the verb ‘esperar’ (to wait). Use ‘espere’ for formal you (usted).
Indefinite article ‘un’
‘Un’ is the masculine singular indefinite article, equivalent to ‘a’ or ‘one’ in English.
Noun ‘momento’
‘Momento’ means ‘moment’; it is masculine, so it pairs with ‘un’.
🗨In Conversation
Espera un momento, por favor.
Wait a moment, please.
Claro, dime en qué puedo ayudar.
Sure, tell me how I can help.
✕Common Mistakes
Él espera un momento.
Using ‘espera’ as a statement (he/she waits) instead of the imperative can cause confusion. The imperative form is the same as the third‑person singular present, so context matters.
Espera momento.
Learners sometimes omit the article and say ‘Espera momento’, which is ungrammatical. The article is required.
Espera un momento por favor.
Missing the comma can make the phrase sound rushed; punctuation helps convey politeness.
↔Alternatives
Un segundo, por favor.
One second, please.
Espere un momento.
Wait a moment. (formal)
Dame un momento.
Give me a moment.
Cultural Tip
In many Spanish‑speaking countries adding ‘por favor’ softens the request and shows respect. In formal contexts, replace ‘espera’ with ‘espere’ and you’ll sound more courteous. Also, people often use ‘un momento’ as a polite filler while they retrieve information or finish a task.