01
der Augenblick
moment
A very short period of time; a moment.
example
Warten Sie bitte einen Augenblick, ich bin sofort für Sie da.
Please wait a moment, I'll be right with you.
der Augenblick
moment
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
01 / 02
Usage tips
Word composition
'Augenblick' (moment) is a compound of 'Auge' (eye) and 'Blick' (glance/look). So it literally describes the span of time that a brief glance takes—a very short moment.
EXAMPLE
Es dauerte nur einen Augenblick, bis das Licht wieder anging.
It only took a moment for the light to come back on.
Fixed expression
The phrase 'Einen Augenblick, bitte!' (One moment, please!) is a very common and polite way to ask someone to wait briefly. It is often used as a standalone response.
EXAMPLE
„Haben Sie kurz Zeit?“ – „Einen Augenblick, bitte, ich telefoniere gerade.“
'Do you have a moment?' — 'One moment, please, I'm on the phone right now.'
Typical collocations
Common phrases are 'im richtigen Augenblick' (at the right moment) or 'jeden Augenblick' (any moment now, shortly). The latter expresses an expectation.
EXAMPLE
Er kam im richtigen Augenblick, um uns zu helfen.
He came at the right moment to help us.
Emphasizing the present
When 'Augenblick' (moment) describes a special, emotional moment, the preposition 'in' or the demonstrative article 'dieser' (this) is often used to emphasize the intensity of the moment.
EXAMPLE
In diesem Augenblick wusste sie, dass sie die richtige Entscheidung getroffen hatte.
At that moment, she knew that she had made the right decision.
Compare with
Augenblick vs Minute
minute
'die Minute' and 'der Augenblick' can both mean a short time. 'Minute' can also be an exact unit of time, namely sixty seconds. 'Augenblick' is not exactly measurable and sounds more like a very short moment. People often say 'einen Augenblick bitte' (one moment, please) when someone should wait briefly. 'Eine Minute bitte' (one minute, please) sounds a bit more specific and can also mean that it will take about a minute.
Augenblick
Einen Augenblick später klingelte das Telefon erneut.
A moment later, the phone rang again.
Minute
Nach zwei Minuten war die Gruppe wieder bereit für das Training.
After two minutes, the group was ready for training again.
In real life
Loading video examples...