One moment, I'm looking for my wallet.
por-ta-FOL-yo — four syllables, stress on third. 'portafoglio' = wallet, literally 'leaf carrier'.
Use when the waiter arrives with the bill and you need a moment to find your wallet or prepare payment.
'Un attimo' = one moment (literally 'one atom of time' — very Italian). 'Cerco' = I'm looking for. 'Portafoglio' = wallet. This natural phrase buys you a polite moment without being rude.
Un secondo, per favore.
One second, please.
Shorter version requesting a brief moment.
Dove ho messo il portafoglio?
Where did I put my wallet?
The natural internal question said aloud.
Eccolo, trovato!
Here it is, found it!
Relief phrase when you locate the wallet.
The phrase 'un attimo' (one moment) is quintessentially Italian — it can mean anything from a literal second to several minutes. Italians are generally patient in social contexts and the phrase is never considered rude when used politely.