Diminutivos que suavizan: un momentito y poquito a poco
Dannis
Diminutives to sound softer and talk about progress: un momentito, poquito a poco, cafetillo, ahora mismo. Useful in Spain for work and everyday life.
un momentito = a brief and polite way to say “wait a moment.” E.g.: Perdona, ¿me esperas un momentito? (polite, gentle).
poquito a poco = to move forward without rushing. E.g.: Aprendo español poquito a poco. In English: “little by little / slowly but surely.”
cafetillo = a quick, social coffee. In Spain it’s a mini-break to chat and then get back to work. “¿Nos tomamos un cafetillo?”
ahora mismo = doing something immediately. Useful reply: “Voy ahora mismo.” In contrast, “Un momentito” asks for a few seconds’ margin.
Cultural note: in colloquial Spanish, diminutives sound affectionate and make your tone softer.
Useful grammar: poco is an adverb of quantity; “poquito a poco” expresses gradual progress done calmly.
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