dar uma minuto
give a minuto
Littéralement: to give a minute
Use it whenever you need a brief moment to finish something before giving someone your full attention.
En 15 secondes
- Used to ask for a brief pause or wait.
- Very common in both professional and social settings.
- Often shortened to 'só um minuto' for extra politeness.
Signification
This phrase is used to ask someone for a brief moment of their time or to pause an activity. It is the go-to way to politely interrupt or ask for patience while you finish a quick task.
Exemples clés
3 sur 6At a restaurant with a waiter
Pode me dar um minuto para escolher o prato?
Can you give me a minute to choose the dish?
A colleague interrupts your work
Me dá um minuto? Só vou terminar este e-mail.
Give me a minute? I'm just going to finish this email.
Texting a friend while busy
Me dá um minuto, estou chegando em casa!
Give me a minute, I'm getting home!
Contexte culturel
In Lusophone cultures, time is often viewed as fluid rather than rigid. Asking for 'a minute' is a polite social lubricant that acknowledges the other person's needs while signaling a brief delay. It's a staple of the 'jeitinho'—finding a smooth way to handle small interruptions.
The Power of 'Só'
Always try to put 'só' (only/just) before the phrase. 'Só um minuto' sounds much more helpful and less like a command than just 'Um minuto'.
The 'Brazilian Minute'
Be aware that 'um minuto' is rarely exactly 60 seconds. It is a symbolic request for patience. Don't be surprised if it takes three or four!
En 15 secondes
- Used to ask for a brief pause or wait.
- Very common in both professional and social settings.
- Often shortened to 'só um minuto' for extra politeness.
What It Means
Dar um minuto is your social pause button. It literally means "to give a minute." You use it when you need a tiny slice of time. Maybe you are finishing an email. Perhaps you are tying your shoes. It tells the other person to wait just a second. It is polite, direct, and very common.
How To Use It
You will usually use this in the imperative or as a request. You can say Me dá um minuto? to be personal. Or simply Dá um minuto if you are in a rush. It works perfectly with the word só (only). Adding só makes it sound less demanding. For example: Só um minuto, por favor. It is a very flexible phrase. You can use it at the start of a sentence or as a standalone reply.
When To Use It
Use it when your phone rings during a conversation. Use it at a restaurant when the waiter asks for your order too soon. It is perfect for the office when a colleague pops by your desk. If you are texting and need to step away, um minuto works wonders. It is the universal signal for "I am almost ready."
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it if you know the task will take twenty minutes. That is just lying! In very formal ceremonies, like a wedding speech, it might feel too casual. Avoid using it with a harsh tone. If you bark Me dá um minuto!, it sounds like you are angry. Use a soft, rising intonation to keep it friendly. Also, do not use it if someone is in a life-or-death hurry.
Cultural Background
Brazilians and Portuguese people value social flow. However, things often run on "flexible time." Asking for a minute is a way to manage this flow without being rude. It is a social contract. You acknowledge the other person's presence while asking for space. Interestingly, a "minute" in these cultures can sometimes be five minutes. It is more about the gesture of asking than the exact sixty seconds. It shows you care about their time.
Common Variations
You will often hear perai which is a contraction of espera aí. Another one is um segundinho (a little second). Using the diminutive -inho makes the wait feel even shorter and cuter. You might also hear guenta aí (hold on there) among close friends. If you want to be extra polite, use Poderia me dar um minuto? (Could you give me a minute?).
Notes d'usage
This phrase is neutral and fits almost any situation. In formal settings, simply frame it as a question ('Pode me dar um minuto?') to maintain professional etiquette.
The Power of 'Só'
Always try to put 'só' (only/just) before the phrase. 'Só um minuto' sounds much more helpful and less like a command than just 'Um minuto'.
The 'Brazilian Minute'
Be aware that 'um minuto' is rarely exactly 60 seconds. It is a symbolic request for patience. Don't be surprised if it takes three or four!
Watch Your Tone
If you say this with a flat or falling intonation, it can sound dismissive. Keep your voice light to ensure people know you are actually coming back.
Exemples
6Pode me dar um minuto para escolher o prato?
Can you give me a minute to choose the dish?
Using 'pode' makes the request polite and standard.
Me dá um minuto? Só vou terminar este e-mail.
Give me a minute? I'm just going to finish this email.
Direct but professional way to manage interruptions.
Me dá um minuto, estou chegando em casa!
Give me a minute, I'm getting home!
Common in messaging to explain a delay in replying.
Um minuto, por favor, tem alguém na porta.
One minute, please, someone is at the door.
The 'por favor' adds a layer of formal courtesy.
Dá um minuto! Eu juro que as chaves estavam aqui.
Give me a minute! I swear the keys were here.
Expresses slight stress or frantic energy.
Me dá um minuto para respirar antes de conversarmos.
Give me a minute to breathe before we talk.
Used to ask for emotional space or preparation.
Teste-toi
Choose the most natural way to ask for a moment.
___ um minuto, por favor? Estou no telefone.
The verb 'dar' (to give) is the standard verb used for requesting time in this context.
Complete the phrase to make it sound softer and shorter.
Só um ___, estou quase pronto!
Adding the diminutive '-inho' makes the request sound more casual and suggests the wait will be very short.
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Aides visuelles
Formality Scale of 'Dar um minuto'
Used with close friends or siblings.
Dá um minuto aí!
Standard daily use with colleagues or shops.
Me dá um minuto?
Polite request to a superior or stranger.
Poderia me dar um minuto?
Where to use 'Dar um minuto'
Ordering Food
When the menu is too long.
Office Desk
When a boss walks in unexpectedly.
Phone Call
When you need to find a pen.
Getting Ready
When your ride is outside waiting.
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNot strictly. It's a figurative expression meaning 'a short amount of time.' In a casual setting, it could mean anywhere from 30 seconds to a few minutes.
Yes, but it's better to add 'por favor' or use 'Pode me dar um minuto?'. This turns the command into a polite request suitable for the workplace.
'Um momento' is slightly more formal. You'll hear it more often in customer service or professional reception areas, whereas 'um minuto' is more common in daily life.
Yes, if you are in a hurry, but it can sound a bit blunt. Adding 'Só' or 'Me dá' makes it feel more like a conversation and less like an order.
You can say Me dá um segundo or the very common Um segundinho. Using the diminutive makes the wait sound even shorter.
Espera aí literally means 'wait there.' It is more informal and slightly more urgent than dar um minuto.
Absolutely. If a shop assistant asks if you need help and you're still looking, say Só um minuto, por favor to keep browsing peacefully.
Yes, it is widely understood and used in Portugal, though they might more frequently use Um momento or Espere um pouco in formal situations.
The diminutive -inho is used in Portuguese to sound friendlier and to minimize the perceived length of the wait. It's a very common 'softener'.
A common mistake is forgetting the 'me' in Me dá um minuto. While Dá um minuto is okay, the 'me' makes it clear that you are the one asking for the favor.
Expressions liées
Só um instante
Just a moment (slightly more formal)
Espera aí
Wait a second / Hang on
Num vapt-vupt
In a flash / Very quickly (slang)
Guenta a mão
Hold on / Be patient (informal)
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