"Σε ένα δευτερόλεπτο."

Translation: In a second.

[Panchete1]

Curious word... It seems that theoretically it means "second-minute", where δεύτερο = second. Can you use both δευτερόλεπτο and δεύτερο interchangeably, or is there any kind of subtle difference between them? Which one is most used in Greece? ευχαριστώ!

[troll1995]

They can both be used. In 30''=σε τριάντα δευτερόλεπτα=σε τριάντα δεύτερα

[Panchete1]

Ah, cool! δευτερόλεπτα would seem very long to be used frequently. I thought δεύτερα was used more commonly. Thanks, troll1995!

[troll1995]

Δευτερόλεπτα is used frequently. The Greek language has many long words, after all, to be scared by a "δευτερόλεπτα". :P

[Mistah2014]

But... It takes more than a second to say... ^_^

[Marva441926]

How would one say "for a second"? Would that be "για ένα δευτερόλεπτο"?

[JanetOlson3]

Would this also be used to say "second in line/second place"?

[troll1995]

No, that would be "δεύτερος (masculine)/ δεύτερη (feminine)/ δεύτερο (neuter)". The word δευτερόλεπτα already has "λεπτά=minutes" in it.

[JanetOlson3]

Thank you. I thought it probably only referred to second as a fragment of time, but wanted to be sure.

[Andrew211782]

The drop down suggestions for "Σε" are "In, On & For" yet in this excercise "For" is not accepted. Why either 1 make an incorrect suggestion or 2 mark a correct answer as incorrect?

[mephyle]

Why is it “Σε” in this sentence, whereas “in a minute” was given as “Πριν ένα λεπτό”?
Can either “σε“ or “πριν“ be used interchangeably in the expression “in a [short unit of time]“?

[SilverOwl2]

Could this mean "in a second" meaning, you don't literally mean a second, but someone asks you to do something and you say "ok, in a second"

[troll1995]

Yep :)

[Jezza11]

Is "δεύτερο λεπτό" also correct? (My cell phone keeps breaking it into two words).