Dame un segundo para pensar.

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Breakdown of Dame un segundo para pensar.

• para: to
• me: me
• el segundo: the second
• pensar: to think
• dame: give

Questions & Answers about Dame un segundo para pensar.

Why is the verb dar used in the imperative form dame here?

Because dame is the tú (informal singular) command form of dar, meaning give me. This structure is common when asking someone to hand you something or, in this instance, share some time or space.

Is dame informal or can I use it with people I don’t know well?

Generally, dame is considered informal because it uses the tú form. In more formal situations or if speaking to someone you would address with usted, you could say deme un segundo instead.

Why do we say un segundo (“one second”) instead of un momento (“one moment”)?

Both un segundo and un momento work similarly in Spanish. Saying un segundo is simply a more casual, slightly playful way to ask for a brief pause—it doesn’t literally mean you need exactly one second. Un momento is a bit more neutral and can also be used interchangeably.

Why is para used before pensar?

In this sentence, para is used to indicate the purpose: you want a second in order to think. Using para with an infinitive often conveys the reason or goal behind an action.

Is it polite to say dame un segundo in Spanish?

It’s polite enough among friends, family, or people you address informally. In more formal scenarios, you might soften it by saying something like ¿Me puede dar un segundo para pensar? or ¿Podría darme un momento para pensar? to sound more respectful.