Skip to content
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
一会儿 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
一会儿yíhuìra whileHSK 2, m, rank #927, Easy
一会儿yíhuìralso pr. [yī huǐ r]HSK 2, m, rank #927, Easy
一会儿yíhuìra momentHSK 2, unknown, rank #927, Easy
一会儿yíhuìrin a momentHSK 2, unknown, rank #927, Easy
一会儿yíhuìrnow...now...HSK 2, unknown, rank #927, Easy
一会儿yíhuìralso pr. [yi1 hui3 r5]HSK 2, unknown, rank #927, Easy
yíhuìr(yi1hui4er5) T1
  1. 1a while
  2. 2also pr. [yī huǐ r]
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
一会儿(一會兒)yíhuìr(yi1hui4er5)

一会儿 (yī huìr) refers to a short, unspecified period of time. It is commonly used to indicate that something will happen soon or to describe a brief pause in activity, often in casual conversations.

Frequency#927DifficultyEasy
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of time can be more fluid; saying '一会儿' often reflects a laid-back attitude towards punctuality in social settings.

Memory Tip

Imagine a clock with hands that move slowly at first, representing the short duration of 'a while.' The character 一 (one) and 会 (to meet) together symbolize that you will meet or do something in just a moment. Think of it as waiting for a friend for just a 'little while.'

Meanings of 一会儿

yíhuìr(yi1hui4er5)
1a while
2also pr. [yī huǐ r]
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 一会儿

一会儿Simplified
一會兒Traditional
Strokes
Radical
副词fùcíadverb (adv.)Part of Speech
#927Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L3HSK 3.0L2ElementaryTOCFLL1HSKKL1CEFRA1

Podcast: 一会儿

JasonAmy

Podcast: 一会儿

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 一会儿

Quick Contrast

稍等 (shāo děng) vs 一会儿 (yī huìr): use 一会儿 for a less specific, more casual time frame, while 稍等 indicates a brief wait with a slightly more formal tone.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a clock with hands that move slowly at first, representing the short duration of 'a while.' The character 一 (one) and 会 (to meet) together symbolize that you will meet or do something in just a moment. Think of it as waiting for a friend for just a 'little while.'

Usage Notes

一会儿 is informal and typically used in spoken Chinese. Learners often confuse it with 一会 (yī huì), which is a different phrase. Be mindful of the tone—correct pronunciation is crucial for clarity.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 3 word, 一会儿 connects with other time-related vocabulary. Students should practice using it in sentences to describe future actions, focusing on the context of timing.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of time can be more fluid; saying '一会儿' often reflects a laid-back attitude towards punctuality in social settings.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mispronounce 一会儿 as 'yī huǐ' instead of 'yī huìr.' Additionally, some may confuse it with phrases like '一段时间' (yī duàn shíjiān), which means a longer duration. It's important to remember that 一会儿 is for short intervals.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 一会儿

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 一会儿 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Component Characters

one
HSK 11 strokes
View full entry
huìcan
HSK 16 strokes
View full entry
érson
HSK 72 strokes
View full entry

Write 一会儿

Practice writing 一会儿 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 一会儿

一会儿 functions as a number. It almost always combines with a measure word before a noun (三个人, 五本书). Standalone numbers are rare outside of math or counting. It carries 6 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

今天的作业我不____就做完了。

I finished today's homework in no time.

Example Sentences for 一会儿 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
嘘!他来了。我一会儿再跟你说。

xū! ! tā lái。 le 。 wǒ yī huì ér zài gēn。

Shush! Here he comes. I'll talk to you later.
2
我初次见他是在他家里,当时我们聊了一会儿。

wǒ chū cì jiàn tā shì zài tā jiā lǐ, , dāng shí wǒ mén liáo le yī huì。

I met him first at his house where we had a chat.
3
过了一会儿,科恩接起电话。“喂?”

guò le yī huì ér, , kē ēn jiē qǐ diàn。“ huà?”

A moment later, Cohen picked up the phone. "Hello?"
4
马克过了一会儿才恢复镇静。

mǎ kè guò le yī huì ér cái huī fù zhèn jìng。

It took a moment for Mark to recover his poise.
5
他喜怒无常,一会儿哭,一会儿笑。

tā xǐ nù wú cháng, , yī huì ér, kū , yī huì。

He is unpredictable, weeping one moment, laughing the next.
6
他在办公室闲荡了一会儿,感到百无聊赖。

tā zài bàn gōng shì xián dàng le yī huì ér, , gǎn dào bǎi wú liáo。

He moped around the office for a while, feeling bored.
7
有一会儿,他怔怔地注视着周围的景物。

yǒu yī huì ér, , tā zhēng zhēng dì zhù shì zháo zhōu wéi de jǐng。

He was lost in the con-templation of the landscape for a while.
8
在那儿等一会儿,我得打个电话。

zài nà ér děng yī huì ér, , wǒ dé dǎ gè diàn。

Wait there for a minute. I have to make a phone call.
9
菲利普来信的打击让她愣了好一会儿。

fēi lì pǔ lái xìn de dǎ jī ràng tā lèng le hǎo yī huì ér。

For a while the shock of Philippe's letter numbed her.
10
你安静一下,好吗?我们想睡一会儿。

nǐ ān jìng yī xià, , hǎo? ma ? wǒ mén xiǎng shuì yī。

Give it a rest, will you? We're trying to get some sleep.

Cultural Notes for 一会儿

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, the concept of time can be more fluid; saying '一会儿' often reflects a laid-back attitude towards punctuality in social settings.

Frequently Asked Questions about 一会儿

You can say, '我一会儿就回来' (wǒ yī huìr jiù huílái), meaning 'I will be back in a moment.'