Phrase · 🎩 Polite requests and permission
Disculpa la molestia, ¿tienes un minuto?
Sorry to bother you, have you got a minute?
B1making polite requestsinformalAudio · coming soon
Why every word is where it is
Disculpa1verbexcusedisculpar · imperative · 2nd sing.ladeterminertheel · fem. · sing. · definitemolestia1nounbotherfem. · sing.,¿tienes2verbdo you havetener · present · 2nd sing.undeterminerauno · masc. · sing. · indefiniteminutonounminutemasc. · sing.?
- Disculpa → molestia: object of disculpar
- la → molestia: f. sg.
- tienes → minuto: tener + noun
- un → minuto: m. sg.
Word for word: “Excuse the bother, do you have a minute?”
Why it's built this way
The notes match the numbers above.
- 1disculpa la molestia = sorry to bother you: disculpa is the tú imperative (usted: disculpe). Affirmative imperative →
- 2¿tienes un minuto?: a soft opener before the actual request.
Variations
- Disculpe la molestia, ¿tiene un minuto?
- Perdona, ¿tienes un momento?