noun HSK 6
Traditional 剎那
instant · moment · split second
Meaning
刹那 refers to an extremely brief moment in time, often used in literary or poetic contexts. It emphasizes the fleeting, transitory nature of a moment, conveying that something happens or exists for only the briefest instant.
Usage
This is a somewhat literary term often used in written language, song lyrics, and poetic speech. In everyday conversation, native speakers more commonly use 瞬间 (shùnjiān) or 一下子 (yīxiàzi). When used, it adds a contemplative or emotional quality to the description of time.
Examples
- 01那一刹那，时间仿佛静止了。, .At that instant, time seemed to stand still.
- 02生命在刹那间就可以改变。.Life can change in a split second.
Characters
Common collocations
- 一刹那in an instant
- 刹那间in a split second
- 那一刹那at that very moment
Antonyms
Origin
This word comes from Sanskrit 'kṣaṇa' (क्षण), a Buddhist term meaning the shortest conceivable unit of time. It entered Chinese through Buddhist texts and has been used in literary Chinese for over a thousand years.