Just a moment
Brief wait
직역: Only one small portion of time
Use it to politely pause a conversation while you finish a quick task or find something.
15초 만에
- A polite way to ask for a very short wait.
- Works in both professional and casual settings.
- Best used for delays lasting less than a minute.
뜻
This phrase is a polite way to ask someone to wait for a very short time. It is like saying 'give me a few seconds' before I can help you or talk to you.
주요 예문
3 / 6Answering the front door
Just a moment! I'm coming!
Wait a second, I am walking to the door.
A waiter at a busy restaurant
Just a moment, sir, I'll be right with you.
Please wait a short time, I will help you soon.
Looking for a file during a Zoom call
Just a moment while I pull up that document.
Wait while I find the digital file.
문화적 배경
The concept of a 'moment' dates back to medieval times when it was a precise 1/40th of an hour. Today, it reflects the modern obsession with speed and politeness, acting as a social lubricant to prevent friction during interruptions.
The 'Please' Power-up
Adding `please` at the end makes you sound much more professional and kind in shops or offices.
The Time Limit
If you take longer than 60 seconds, it's polite to apologize by saying 'Sorry for the wait' when you return.
15초 만에
- A polite way to ask for a very short wait.
- Works in both professional and casual settings.
- Best used for delays lasting less than a minute.
What It Means
Just a moment is your magic shield against feeling rushed. It tells the other person that you hear them. It tells them you are busy for a few seconds. You aren't ignoring them. You are just finishing a small task. Think of it as a verbal 'pause button' for life. It is softer than saying 'wait.' It feels more like an invitation to be patient.
How To Use It
You can use this phrase alone or as part of a sentence. If someone calls your name, shout Just a moment! from the other room. If you are on the phone, say Just a moment, please. It works best when you are actually about to finish what you are doing. Don't use it if you need ten minutes. That would be a lie! Use it for things that take under sixty seconds. It is the perfect bridge between 'busy' and 'available.'
When To Use It
Use it when you are looking for your keys in your bag. Use it at a shop when you are counting change. It is great in a meeting when you need to find a file. If you are texting, you can type Just a sec which is a cousin of this phrase. It shows you are polite and organized. It keeps the social flow moving smoothly. Even if you are stressed, saying this makes you look calm.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this if the wait will be long. If you say Just a moment and disappear for ten minutes, people will get annoyed. Avoid using it in extreme emergencies. If someone yells 'Help!', don't say Just a moment. That is a bit too casual for a crisis! Also, don't use it with a rude tone. The words are polite, but your voice must be kind too. Otherwise, it sounds like you are telling them to 'shut up.'
Cultural Background
English speakers value their time, but they value politeness more. In the UK and US, interrupting someone is often seen as slightly rude. This phrase acts as a 'buffer.' It acknowledges the interruption without being angry. Historically, a 'moment' was an actual unit of time (about 90 seconds). Today, it just means 'very soon.' It is one of the first phrases children learn to say to their parents.
Common Variations
You will hear many versions of this. Just a second is very common. Just a sec is the short, cool version for friends. One moment, please is what you hear from a professional receptionist. If you want to be very British, you might hear Hang on a tick. They all mean the same thing: stay right there, I'm coming!
사용 참고사항
This phrase is incredibly versatile. It sits right in the middle of the formality scale, making it safe for almost any situation from a first date to a job interview.
The 'Please' Power-up
Adding `please` at the end makes you sound much more professional and kind in shops or offices.
The Time Limit
If you take longer than 60 seconds, it's polite to apologize by saying 'Sorry for the wait' when you return.
The Index Finger
In many English-speaking cultures, people hold up their index finger while saying this to visually signal 'one' moment.
예시
6Just a moment! I'm coming!
Wait a second, I am walking to the door.
Used to let the visitor know you heard the knock.
Just a moment, sir, I'll be right with you.
Please wait a short time, I will help you soon.
Very standard in service industries to acknowledge customers.
Just a moment while I pull up that document.
Wait while I find the digital file.
Shows you are working on the request immediately.
Just a moment, let me finish this email.
Wait a bit, I am finishing work.
Explains the delay in replying.
Just a moment, honey, Mommy is talking.
Wait a little bit, I am busy.
A gentle way to set a boundary with a child.
Just a moment... I know it's here somewhere!
Wait, I am searching for the picture.
Builds a little bit of anticipation.
셀프 테스트
Choose the best word to complete the polite request.
Just a ___, I need to grab my coat.
The phrase `Just a moment` is the standard expression for a short wait.
Which phrase is most appropriate when a customer walks into your shop?
___, please. I will help you as soon as I finish this call.
`One moment` is a slightly more formal version of `Just a moment` perfect for business.
🎉 점수: /2
시각 학습 자료
Formality of Waiting Phrases
Used with close friends.
Just a sec!
Good for almost any situation.
Just a moment.
Professional or polite service.
One moment, please.
Where to use 'Just a moment'
At a Coffee Shop
Finding your wallet.
On the Phone
Checking a calendar.
At Home
Someone knocks on the bathroom door.
At the Office
A colleague walks to your desk.
자주 묻는 질문
10 질문Not exactly. Wait can sound like a command or a bit rude. Just a moment is much softer and more polite.
It is better for spoken English. In an email, you should say something like I will get back to you shortly.
In conversation, it usually means anywhere from 5 to 60 seconds. If it's longer, use a few minutes.
Yes, it is perfectly neutral. Adding please makes it even safer for a professional environment.
They are interchangeable. Just a second feels slightly more casual than Just a moment.
You should say Give me a minute or I'll be with you in a few minutes instead.
Yes, if you say it sharply, it can mean 'Stop bothering me.' But usually, it is a friendly phrase.
Yes! In the UK and Australia, people often shorten it to Just a mo. It is very informal.
You can just say One moment. The word just makes it sound like the wait will be even smaller.
When you are ready, say Thanks for waiting or Okay, I'm ready. It completes the social interaction.
관련 표현
Just a sec
A very informal version of 'just a moment'.
Hang on
An informal way to ask someone to wait or stop.
One moment, please
The formal version used in business and customer service.
I'll be right with you
A professional way to say you will help someone very soon.
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