Spanish Phrase
Un segundo, porfa.
Meaning
This phrase literally translates to "one second, please." It's a very common and informal way to ask someone to wait for a very brief moment. The "porfa" is a casual abbreviation of "por favor."
When to use
Use this phrase when you need someone to pause or wait for a very short period, typically a few seconds. It's perfect for informal settings, like with friends, family, or colleagues you know well, when you're busy with something else or need to quickly grab something.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Unsegundoporfa
Un (Indefinite Article)
"Un" is the masculine singular indefinite article, meaning "a" or "an." It's used here before the masculine noun "segundo."
Segundo (Noun)
"Segundo" means "second" (as in a unit of time). It's a masculine noun, hence it takes the masculine article "un."
Porfa (Abbreviation)
"Porfa" is an informal, common abbreviation of "por favor," which means "please." It's widely used in casual conversation among friends and family.
🗨In Conversation
¿Me pasas la sal?
Can you pass me the salt?
Un segundo, porfa. Estoy terminando esto.
One second, please. I'm finishing this.
✕Common Mistakes
Un segundo, por favor.
While grammatically correct, using "por favor" makes the phrase slightly more formal. "Porfa" is preferred for the casual, quick nature of "un segundo."
Un momento, porfa.
While similar, "un momento" implies a slightly longer wait than "un segundo." Use "un segundo" for truly brief pauses.
↔Alternatives
Un momento, por favor.
One moment, please.
Espera un segundo.
Wait a second.
Dame un segundo.
Give me a second.
Cultural Tip
The use of "porfa" is a hallmark of informal Spanish across many Latin American countries and Spain. It's a friendly, colloquial abbreviation of "por favor" and signals a relaxed, familiar tone. Using it correctly shows a good grasp of everyday conversational Spanish and can help you sound more natural to native speakers.