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March 24, 2026
瞬间(瞬間)shùnjiān(shun4jian1)
瞬间 (shun4 jian1) refers to a very brief moment in time, often emphasizing the fleeting nature of that moment. It is commonly used in both spoken and written language to describe something that occurs instantaneously or within a heartbeat, often evoking a sense of urgency or transience.
Frequency#5031DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
瞬间 reflects a cultural appreciation for the transient beauty of life, often found in Chinese poetry and philosophy that emphasizes living in the present and cherishing fleeting moments.
Memory Tip
Think of 瞬 (shun4) as 'shun' a flash, like a shooting star that appears for just a moment in the sky, while 间 (jian1) can remind you of 'between' moments. Together, you can visualize a star that shines brightly but only for an instant.
Meanings of 瞬间
shùnjiān(shun4jian1)
1moment
2momentary
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 瞬间
瞬间Simplified
瞬間Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
时间词time word (t.)Part of Speech
#5031Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L6AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 瞬间
Podcast: 瞬间
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AI Study Notes for 瞬间
Quick Contrast
瞬息 (shùnxī) - use 瞬间 for a specific brief moment, while 瞬息 emphasizes the fleeting nature of time itself.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 瞬 (shun4) as 'shun' a flash, like a shooting star that appears for just a moment in the sky, while 间 (jian1) can remind you of 'between' moments. Together, you can visualize a star that shines brightly but only for an instant.
Usage Notes
Be mindful of the tone when pronouncing 瞬间; using the wrong tone can change the meaning entirely. It is often used in both formal and informal contexts, but be cautious when pairing it with verbs, as it typically describes actions that happen quickly.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 6 word, 瞬间 connects with other advanced vocabulary related to time and perception. Students should focus on using it in descriptive contexts and practice collocations with verbs like '发生' (happen) or '消失' (disappear) to enhance their fluency.
Cultural Note
瞬间 reflects a cultural appreciation for the transient beauty of life, often found in Chinese poetry and philosophy that emphasizes living in the present and cherishing fleeting moments.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 瞬间 with 片刻 (piàn kè), which represents a slightly longer period of time. Remember that 瞬间 emphasizes an instant, while 片刻 suggests a brief but more substantial moment.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 瞬间
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Grammar Patterns of 瞬间
瞬间 carries 3 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
有一____，阿诺德对威尔逊先生心生同情。
For a moment, Arnold felt a twinge of sympathy for Mr Wilson.
For a moment, Arnold felt a twinge of sympathy for Mr Wilson.
2
油轮外部金属板覆层破裂的那一瞬间，油开始外溢。
yóu lún wài bù jīn shǔ bǎn fù céng pò liè de nà yī shùn jiān， ， yóu kāi shǐ wài。
The tanker began spilling oil the moment her outer plating ruptured.
3
那是个非常非常感人的瞬间。
nà shì gè fēi cháng fēi cháng gǎn rén de shùn jiān。
It was a very, very touching moment.
4
他拍的照片时机掌握完美，记录下了动人的快乐瞬间。
tā pāi de zhào piàn shí jī zhǎng wò wán měi， ， jì lù xià le dòng rén de kuài lè shùn。
His photo is a wonderful happy moment caught with perfect timing.
5
他回笑了一下，有那么一瞬间不动声色的脸上焕发出容光。
tā huí xiào le yī xià， ， yǒu nà mó yī shùn jiān bù dòng shēng sè de liǎn shàng huàn fā chū róng。
He smiled back, which for an instant transfigured his unrevealing features.
6
他的左车灯亮了, 在一瞬间他就从此一去不复返了.
tā de zuǒ chē dēng liàng le, , zài yī shùn jiān tā jiù cóng cǐ yī qù bù fù fǎn.
His left signal light came on. In a moment he'd be gone.
7
她和迈克尔在一瞬间四目相对。
tā hé mài kè ěr zài yī shùn jiān sì mù xiāng duì。
Her gaze met Michael's for a split second.
Cultural Notes for 瞬间
🏮Cultural insight
瞬间 reflects a cultural appreciation for the transient beauty of life, often found in Chinese poetry and philosophy that emphasizes living in the present and cherishing fleeting moments.
Frequently Asked Questions about 瞬间
Yes, 瞬间 can describe a momentary feeling or emotion that comes and goes quickly, such as joy or sadness.
瞬间 is commonly used in both writing and speaking, but you may encounter it more frequently in literature and poetry.
Some synonyms include 片刻 (piàn kè) and 时刻 (shí kè), but 瞬间 emphasizes the instantaneous nature more strongly.
