Translation guide
The English phrase 'a moment' refers to a very short period of time. In Japanese, there are several ways to express this, depending on the context and nuance. Common expressions include ちょっと (chotto) for casual requests or brief waits, 少し (sukoshi) for a short while, and 瞬間 (shunkan) for an instant. The choice depends on formality and whether you're asking someone to wait, describing a fleeting moment, or using it in a set phrase.
To indicate a brief wait or pause, often used in requests or when asking for someone's time.
Very common casual word meaning 'a little' or 'a moment'. Used in everyday conversation to ask someone to wait briefly or to soften requests.
Please wait a moment.
Could you help me for a moment?
Polite, formal word for 'a moment' or 'a little'. Often used in business settings or when speaking to customers.
Means 'a little' or 'a short while'. More neutral than ちょっと, can be used in both casual and slightly formal contexts.
Means 'for a while' or 'for a moment'. Can imply a slightly longer wait than ちょっと, but still relatively short.
To describe a very brief, almost instantaneous moment in time.
Means 'instant' or 'moment'. Used for a very short, precise point in time.
To refer to the current or a specific point in time, often used in narratives or explanations.
Literally 'right now, this moment'. Emphasizes the present instant.
To refer to a brief period when something happens, often with emotional or significant weight.
少々お待ちください。
Please wait a moment. (polite)
Could I have a moment of your time? (formal)
Wait a moment. (casual)
Let's rest for a moment.
しばらくお待ちください。
Please wait a moment. (polite, slightly longer wait)
Let me think for a moment.
In that moment, I didn't know what happened.
It happened in a moment.
Literally 'one instant', emphasizes the brevity of the moment. Often used in phrases like 一瞬で (in a flash).
It disappeared in a moment.
He doesn't show even a moment's opening.
A literary or philosophical term for an extremely brief moment, often translated as 'instant' or 'moment'. Used in poetic or dramatic contexts.
It was a momentary event. (literary)
Let's enjoy this moment right now.
'At that moment'. Used to describe a specific point in the past or future.
At that moment, he made up his mind.
Means 'for the moment' or 'at present'. Used to describe a temporary situation.
There are no problems at the moment.
Means 'a moment' or 'a short while', often implying a pleasant or meaningful interval.
We had a pleasant moment.
A moment of bliss.
Can mean 'a moment' or 'a short time', but also 'temporarily'. Slightly more formal or literary.
Don't be swayed by a momentary emotion.
Literally 'one moment', often used in set phrases like 一刻を争う (every moment counts).
It's a situation where every moment counts.
Please wait a moment. (formal)
Please wait a little. (polite but less formal than 少々)
瞬間 (shunkan) means 'instant' and is not used for asking someone to wait. Use ちょっと or 少々 instead. Saying 瞬間待って is unnatural.
Wait a moment. (natural)
Can I talk to you for a moment?
Casual request.