Spanish - Requests and Waiting

Lesson 145 of 159

Learner listening to Latin American Spanish request phrases for everyday situations.

Goal: Gentle ways to ask someone to wait or to give permission

Free Spanish lessons with guided practice, audio, and speaking support.

Quick and friendly — today we practice polite, everyday ways to ask someone to wait or to tell them to take their time. Listen, repeat, then try the short activities.

Level A1: This lesson focuses on common Latin American expressions for requests and waiting: phrases like "Cuando puedas," "No hay prisa," "¿Me das chance?" and more. You'll hear the phrases, see them in a short conversation, and practice with quick quizzes and speaking drills. CEFR-aligned, light, and practical—perfect for everyday moments.

After this lesson you'll be able to:

  • Level A1: Recognize and use eight common Latin American request phrases for asking someone to wait or take their time.
  • Feel comfortable softening requests (e.g., "Cuando puedas") and asking for a brief moment (e.g., "Dame un segundo").
  • Practice saying each phrase out loud so they come naturally in real conversations.
A friendly scene showing two people using casual Spanish phrases to ask for a moment or give permission.

Ready? Let's go!

When you tap play on phrases, we track your progress through this lesson.

1. Reading + Listening Practice

Hear core phrases, repeat aloud.

Cuando puedas.

Whenever you can.

Meaning: Whenever you can.

When to use: Use this to soften a request when there's no hurry — you want something but the other person can do it at a convenient time.

Envíame el documento cuando puedas.
Send me the document whenever you can.
Puedes llamarme cuando puedas.
You can call me whenever you can.

No hay prisa.

There’s no rush.

Meaning: There’s no rush.

When to use: Say this to reassure someone that they can take their time and there is no pressure to hurry.

No hay prisa, termina tu tarea con calma.
No rush; finish your homework calmly.
Trae el informe cuando puedas, no hay prisa.
Bring the report when you can; there’s no rush.

Tómate tu tiempo.

Take your time.

Meaning: Take your time.

When to use: A kind, somewhat direct way to tell someone they should not hurry—use it with friends, coworkers, or service staff.

Si no entiendes, tómate tu tiempo para leerlo otra vez.
If you don’t understand, take your time to read it again.
Tómate tu tiempo para elegir lo que quieras.
Take your time to choose what you want.

Adelante.

Go ahead / come in.

Meaning: Go ahead / come in.

When to use: Use to give permission, to invite someone forward, or to say 'after you' in many contexts.

Tip: Don’t confuse with 'ahead' in English—here it specifically grants permission or invites someone in.

Adelante, pasa a la oficina.
Go ahead, come into the office.
Adelante, habla primero si quieres.
Go ahead, speak first if you want.

¿Me das chance?

Can you give me a chance / a moment?

Meaning: Can you give me a chance / a moment?

When to use: A casual, friendly way (very common in Mexico) to ask someone for a little time or a brief opportunity.

Tip: Learners sometimes think 'chance' means only 'opportunity'—in many regions it means 'a moment' or 'a little time.'

¿Me das chance de terminar esto?
Can you give me a moment to finish this?
¿Me das chance para explicar lo que pasó?
Can you give me a chance to explain what happened?

Dame un segundo.

Give me a second.

Meaning: Give me a second.

When to use: A short, neutral request for a very brief wait—use it in casual or semi-formal situations.

Dame un segundo, ya termino.
Give me a second, I’ll finish soon.
¿Puedes esperar? Dame un segundo.
Can you wait? Give me a second.

Espérame tantito.

Wait for me just a little.

Meaning: Wait for me just a little.

When to use: Casual and friendly; 'tantito' is especially Mexican but often understood—ask someone to wait a short time for you.

Tip: Beginners sometimes use 'tantito' too late; remember it's for a short, friendly pause (not a long delay).

Espérame tantito afuera, vuelvo enseguida.
Wait for me just a little outside; I’ll be right back.
Espérame tantito, voy por mi cartera.
Wait for me a bit, I’ll get my wallet.

Un momento.

One moment.

Meaning: One moment.

When to use: Neutral phrase useful in person or on the phone when you need someone to wait briefly.

Un momento, te paso con la persona indicada.
One moment, I'll transfer you to the right person.
¿Un momento? Estoy buscando la información.
One moment? I’m looking for the information.

2. Conversational Listening Practice

Hear phrases in a real mini-conversation.

Anna needs a second to find a file; David offers to wait and then gives permission.

Anna and David talking in Spanish, practicing phrases like 'Dame un segundo' and 'Adelante.'

Who asks David to wait?

Portrait of Anna in a Spanish lesson dialogue

Anna

Dame un segundo, estoy buscando el archivo.

Give me a second, I'm looking for the file.

Portrait of David in a Spanish lesson dialogue

David

No hay prisa, tómate tu tiempo.

There’s no rush—take your time.

Portrait of Anna in a Spanish lesson dialogue

Anna

¿Me das chance? Solo será un momento.

Can you give me a moment? It’ll only be a moment.

Portrait of David in a Spanish lesson dialogue

David

Adelante, busca con calma.

Go ahead, search calmly.

3. Guided Practice

Quizzes and matching to lock in meaning.

Which phrase politely tells someone there is no hurry?

Which casual Mexican phrase asks for a short wait or chance?

If you want to tell a friend to take their time choosing, which phrase fits best?

Which phrase do you use to invite someone into a room or let them go first?

I can finish the email later, whenever you can.

I can finish the email later, _____.

We're not in a hurry—there’s no rush.

We're not in a hurry—_____.

Before entering the room he said, 'Go ahead.'

Before entering the room he said, '_____.'

Match the core phrases

Match the extra phrases

4. Speaking Practice

Say phrases yourself (mic/recording).

Recording stays on your device only. Check speech uses your browser's speech tools when available.

Say this phrase out loud:

Cuando puedas.

Whenever you can.

Say this phrase out loud:

No hay prisa.

There’s no rush.

Say this phrase out loud:

Tómate tu tiempo.

Take your time.

Say this phrase out loud:

Adelante.

Go ahead / come in.

Say this phrase out loud:

¿Me das chance?

Can you give me a moment?

Say this phrase out loud:

Dame un segundo.

Give me a second.

Say this phrase out loud:

Espérame tantito.

Wait for me just a little.

Say this phrase out loud:

Un momento.

One moment.