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Lesson 55 of 238

New here? This is lesson 55 of a free 238-lesson Spanish course.

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No rush in Spanish

Michael is juggling orders at Café Laurel, and Justin isn't in a hurry. A little patience makes a busy minute easier for everyone.

You'll learn to say there's no rush, give someone time, and ask them to wait for you.

These lines help at cafés and with friends. Even choosing from a menu can take a second.

By the end of this lesson

Tell someone there's no rush, give them time, and ask them to wait a moment.

  • No hay prisaNo rush
  • Cuando puedasWhenever you can
  • Tómate tu tiempoTake your time
  • Dame un segundoGive me a second
  • Espérame tantitoWait up a second
  • ¿Me das chance?Give me a second?

Scene — A busy minute at Café Laurel

It's a busy afternoon at Café Laurel. Michael has another customer's order in his hands, while Justin waits at his table.

Justin isn't rushing, but the menu will give him plenty to think about.

Michael carries another customer's order while Justin waits calmly at his table with a menu.

Learn — Make a little time

There are six lines to learn. Tap ▶ and say each one out loud.

Notice which lines give someone time and which ask for time.

  1. Justin reassures busy Michael with a relaxed smile and an easy, open-handed gesture.

    No hay prisa

    No rush

    When to use it: Reassure someone that they don't need to hurry.

  2. Justin lets Michael attend to the other customer first while keeping his menu ready.

    Cuando puedas

    Whenever you can

    When to use it: Let someone do what you've asked when they have time.

    Use it after a request, or when the request is already clear.

  3. Justin encourages Michael to take his time while settling in to study the menu.

    Tómate tu tiempo

    Take your time

    When to use it: Tell someone they can take the time they need.

    Say this to someone you address as tú.

  4. Michael asks Justin for a brief moment while keeping another customer's order balanced.

    Dame un segundo

    Give me a second

    When to use it: Ask for a brief pause before you answer or do something.

    A second here means a short moment, not an exact amount of time.

  5. Michael looks back toward Justin and asks him to wait briefly while delivering the other order.

    Espérame tantito

    Wait up a second

    When to use it: Ask someone to wait briefly for you instead of moving on.

    Tantito means a little bit and is common in Mexico.

  6. Michael politely asks Justin for a little more time as he finishes setting down the other customer's order.

    ¿Me das chance?

    Give me a second?

    When to use it: Casually ask someone to give you a moment.

    In this situation, you're asking for a little time.

Story — One order at a time

Watch who gives someone time and who needs a moment. Michael has an order to finish, but Justin has a menu to study.

Follow the highlights, and use Show English if needed.

  1. Justin has asked for a menu, but Michael is carrying another table's order.
  2. MichaelUn momento, por favor.Just a moment, please.
  3. JustinNo hay prisa. Cuando puedas.No rush. Whenever you can.
  4. The other customer needs a spoon, too. Michael looks back at Justin.
  5. Michael¿Me das chance?Give me a second?
  6. JustinClaro, adelante. Tómate tu tiempo.Sure, go ahead. Take your time.
  7. Michael finishes the order and brings the menu. Now Justin has too many delicious choices.
  8. JustinDame un segundo.Give me a second.
  9. MichaelClaro.Sure.
  10. Michael starts toward the counter just as Justin finds his choice.
  11. JustinEspérame tantito.Wait up a second.
  12. MichaelSí.Yes.

Practice — Who needs a moment?

Try nine short exercises about giving and asking for time. Listen carefully, then choose or build a line.

Keep trying or skip; the explanations will help.

0 of 9 done

  1. What did you hear?

  2. Match the pairs

    Spanish

    No hay prisaDrop the English here
    Cuando puedasDrop the English here
    Tómate tu tiempoDrop the English here

    English

    Drag an English line onto its Spanish, or tap one and then the other.

  3. What does it mean?

    ¿Me das chance?

  4. What do you say?

    Michael is waiting for your choice. You need a brief moment to read the menu; ask for that moment.

  5. Fill the gap

    Wait up a second

    Espérame ____

  6. True or false?

    This tells Michael that he needs to hurry.

  7. What does it mean?

    Un momento, por favor

  8. What do you say?

    Michael asks permission to serve another table first. Tell him he can go ahead, rather than asking him to wait.

  9. Build the line

    Take your time

    Tap the words in order.

Say it — Keep it relaxed

You play Justin. Michael speaks first while finishing another order. Tap the microphone to answer, or tap ▶ for the model line.

You can skip a turn. Your recording stays on your device.

  1. You've asked for a menu, but Michael is busy with another table.
  2. MichaelUn momento, por favor.Just a moment, please.
  3. Justin (you)Reassure him that there's no rush.

    No hay prisa

    No rush

0 of 5 said

Recap — what you can say now

SpanishEnglish
No hay prisaNo rush
Cuando puedasWhenever you can
Tómate tu tiempoTake your time
Dame un segundoGive me a second
Espérame tantitoWait up a second
¿Me das chance?Give me a second?
Next: lesson 56So we're set

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Keep practicing with Yak Cards

Keep these useful pauses handy with your Yak Cards. Practice giving someone time and asking for a moment yourself.

Try a quick review tomorrow. There's no rush, but a little practice helps.

Open Yak Cards