der Moment
moment
A very short, indefinite period of time; an instant.
EXAMPLE
Können Sie bitte einen Moment warten? Ich bin gleich fertig.
Could you please wait a moment? I'll be finished shortly.
der Moment
moment
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
im Moment
at the moment
Currently, at the present time.
EXAMPLE
Im Moment habe ich leider sehr viel zu tun.
At the moment, unfortunately, I have a lot to do.
der Moment
moment
A specific, often important or decisive point in time.
EXAMPLE
Das war der Moment, in dem sie sich verliebten.
That was the moment when they fell in love.
von einem Moment auf den anderen
from one moment to the next
Very suddenly and unexpectedly.
EXAMPLE
Von einem Moment auf den anderen schlug das Wetter um.
From one moment to the next, the weather changed.
Usage tips
As a short request
The word 'Moment!' (one moment!) is often used on its own as a short, colloquial request to ask someone to wait briefly. It is a shortened form of 'Warten Sie einen Moment!' (Please wait a moment!).
EXAMPLE
Moment, ich muss kurz überlegen!
One moment, I need to think briefly!
Typical phrase
The phrase 'einen Moment' (a moment) is very commonly used as a polite request. It often appears with verbs like 'warten' (to wait), 'haben' (to have), or 'dauern' (to take/last).
EXAMPLE
Haben Sie einen Moment Zeit für mich?
Do you have a moment for me?
Fixed phrase for 'now'
The fixed phrase 'im Moment' means 'right now' or 'currently'. It often appears at the beginning or end of a sentence.
EXAMPLE
Im Moment kann ich Ihnen leider nicht helfen.
At the moment, unfortunately, I can't help you.
Sentence structure with relative clause
To describe an important point in time, the structure 'der Moment, in dem…' (the moment in which/when..., for a point in time) or 'der Moment, als…' (the moment when..., for an event) is often used.
EXAMPLE
Das war der Moment, in dem ich wusste, dass alles gut wird.
That was the moment when I knew everything would be okay.
Fixed phrase for 'suddenly'
The idiom 'von einem Moment auf den anderen' (from one moment to the next) is a fixed unit and means 'very suddenly' or 'unexpectedly'. It describes an abrupt change.
EXAMPLE
Von einem Moment auf den anderen war der Strom weg.
From one moment to the next, the power was gone.
Compare with
Moment vs Zeit
time
Zeit refers here to available free time during which you can get something done. Moment, by contrast, is a very short period or a brief opportunity. If you are generally not busy, you have Zeit; for a short interruption or opportunity, Moment is the appropriate word.
Moment
Ich habe gerade einen Moment, um deine Nachricht kurz zu lesen.
I have a moment right now to read your message quickly.
Zeit
Ich habe heute Zeit, um deine Nachricht in Ruhe zu beantworten.
I have time today to reply to your message at my leisure.
In real life
Loading video examples...