espera aí / não espera / peraí
1. An exclamation used to stop someone from doing something or to pause a conversation, often indicating the speaker has just remembered something or wants to correct what was just said
No wait, I think I left my keys at home!
Espera aí, acho que deixei minhas chaves em casa!
2. A request for someone to hold on or pause briefly before continuing
No wait, let me finish explaining first.
Peraí, deixa eu terminar de explicar primeiro.
3. An expression of sudden recollection or realization
No wait, didn't we meet before at that party?
Não espera, a gente não se conheceu naquela festa?
In Brazilian Portuguese, 'no wait' is extremely common in casual speech and reflects the informal, conversational tone of Portuguese speakers. It's frequently used when someone wants to interject or correct themselves mid-conversation. In the USA, particularly in NYC, this expression is equally prevalent in rapid-fire, informal dialogue and is considered very casual speech.
NYC Slang
hold up / yo wait
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