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"Hace un rato" is a phrase which is often translated as "a while ago", and "hace un momento" is a phrase which is often translated as "a moment ago". Learn more about the difference between "hace un rato" and "hace un momento" below.
hace un rato(
ah
-
seh
oon
rrah
-
toh
)A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
a. a while ago
¿No estabas viendo una película? - Hace un rato que acabó.Weren't you watching a movie? - It finished a while ago.
b. some time ago
¿Pasó ya el cartero? - Sí, hace un rato.Has the postman come yet? - Yes, some time ago.
a. for a while now
Hace un rato que espero a Carlota. Si no aparece en cinco minutos, me voy.I've been waiting for Carlota for a while now. If she doesn't turn up in the next five minutes, I'll leave.
b. for some time now
Hace un rato que estoy parado en el tráfico, así que no sé cuándo llegaré.I've been stuck in the traffic for some time now, so I don't know when I'll get there.
hace un momento(
ah
-
seh
oon
moh
-
mehn
-
toh
)A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
1. (general)
a. a moment ago
Eugenia me llamó hace un momento para decirme que no va a poder venir.Eugenia called me a moment ago to tell me that she's not going to be able to come.
b. a while ago
El cartero vino hace un momento a dejar esta carta para ti.The postman came a while ago to leave this letter for you.
