There are lots of good ways to say I’ll be right back in Spanish. In this article, you’ll learn the most popular ways, the verbs you need, and some slang/regional options.
Expressions using Ya
Ya is an extremely versatile word in Spanish. It can mean now, already, soon, and more, and it’s used in tons of colloquial expressions.
In the expressions below, ya takes on the meaning of “soon”. In Latin America, these are among the most common expressions for “I’ll be right back” in Spanish.
Ya vengo
Literally, “Already I come”.
| Se me olvidó la billetera, ya vengo | I forgot my wallet, I’ll be right back |
Ya vuelvo
Literally, “Already I return”.
| Voy a pedir otro trago, ya vuelvo. | I’m going to order another drink, I’ll be right back. |
Ya regreso
Literally, “Already I return”.
| No se vayan sin mí, ya regreso. | Don’t leave without me, I’ll be right back. |
Expressions using Ahora / Ahorita
Ahora is another versatile word in Spanish. Ahora means now, but depending on where you are, it can also mean soon, around this general time, or later.
In some countries, you’ll also hear ahorita. This is especially common in Mexico.
Ahorita is the diminutive form of ahora. Generally, it is a broader definition of “now”. So if someone says ahorita, it’ll probably be longer than if they said ahora.
But again, this depends on the country, the speaker, and the context.
Ahora vengo / Ahorita vengo
Literally, “Now I come”. Ahorita vengo is one of the most common ways to say “I’ll be right back” in Mexico.
| Pórtate bien mijo, ahorita vengo. | Behave yourself son/sweetie, I’ll be right back. |
Ahora regreso / Ahorita regreso
Literally, “Now I return”.
| Voy a pasar a buscar a mi hija al colegio, ahora regreso. | I’m going to go pick up my daughter at school, I’ll be right back. |
Ahora vuelvo / Ahorita vuelvo
Literally, “Now I return”. This is generally a more common option in Spain, but like all of these expressions, it is understandable anywhere.
| Voy por un refresco, ahora vuelvo. | I’m going to get a soda, I’ll be right back. |
Expressions using Enseguida
Vuelvo enseguida
Literally, “I return right away”. You can also reverse the word order and say “Enseguida vuelvo”.
| Dile a tu mamá que vuelvo enseguida | Tell your mom I’ll be right back |
Regreso enseguida
Literally, “I return right away”. Like with the previous example, you can reverse the word order and say “Enseguida regreso”.
| Me voy a cambiar de ropa, regreso enseguida. | I’m going to change my clothes, I’ll be right back |
Other options to say that you’ll be right back
Vuelvo en X minutos
Literally, I return in X minutes
| Espérame por favor, vuelvo en 2 minutos | Wait for me please, I’ll be back in 2 minutes |
Vuelvo en un momento
Literally, I return in a moment
| Tengan paciencia por favor, vuelvo en un momento | Be patient please, I’ll be back in a moment |
Dame un minuto
Literally, give me a minute.
| Perdón, dame un minuto, tengo que hablar con mi jefe | Sorry, give me a minute, I have to talk with my boss |
More formal options to say I’ll be right back in Spanish:
Sometimes you need something more formal than “gimme a sec” or “be right back”.
For that, here are two other expressions you can use:
Permíteme un momento
Literally, Allow me a moment (usted form).
| Permíteme un momento, necesito hacer una llamada. | Excuse me / allow me a moment, I need to make a call |
Discúlpeme un momento
Literally, Excuse me a moment (usted form)
| Por favor discúlpeme un momento, Sra. Rodriguez. | Please excuse me for a moment, Mrs. Rodriguez. |
I’ll be right back – Slang & Regional options
Depending on where you are, you can hear different versions of “be right back” in Spanish.
Here are a few slang and regional options you can use in different regions.
Vuelvo al toque
Used in a few countries in South America, including Argentina, Chile, and Peru. Here, al toque means “right away”.
| – Oye, ¿dónde estás? Te esperamos hace rato. – ¡No se vayan! Vuelvo al toque, estoy saliendo de la reunión. | – Hey, where are you? We’ve been waiting for you for a while. – Don’t leave! I’ll be right back, I’m leaving the meeting. |
Vuelvo al tiro
A Chilean expression. Al tiro means right away.
| Voy al baño, vuelvo al tiro. | I’m going to the bathroom, I’ll be right back. |
Espérame tantito
Literally, wait for me a little bit. This is common in Mexico. It doesn’t exactly mean “be right back”, but it can be used in that kind of scenario.
| Espérame tantito, voy por una chela | Wait a sec / Gimme a minute, I’m going to grab a beer. |
Don’t translate “I’ll be back” literally
Colloquial Spanish uses phrases like ya vengo and ahora vuelvo. If you translate “I’ll be right back” literally as “Pronto estaré de vuelta”, people will understand but it won’t sound very natural.
Practice these phrases today! Choose one you didn’t already know to start with, and say it out loud several times today where relevant. Even if you just say it to yourself it works.
