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片刻 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
片刻piànkèshort period of timeHSK 6, m, 12 strokes, rank #6671, Hard
片刻piànkèa momentHSK 6, m, 12 strokes, rank #6671, Hard
piànkè(pian4ke4)pian ke T4
  1. 1short period of time
  2. 2a moment
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March 24, 2026

片刻piànkè(pian4ke4)

片刻 (pian4 ke4) refers to a short period of time or a moment. It is commonly used in both spoken and written Chinese to denote brief intervals, often conveying a sense of urgency or the fleeting nature of time.

Strokes12Frequency#6671DifficultyHard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, the concept of time is often viewed as transient and precious, leading to the saying '一瞬间' (in an instant), which emphasizes the importance of seizing moments.

Memory tip

Imagine a picture (片) that captures a moment (刻) in time. Think of a snapshot that lasts just a 'moment'—the 'pian' sounds like 'pin' which you can use to 'pin' down a fleeting moment in a photo.

Meanings of 片刻

piànkè(pian4ke4)
1short period of time
2a moment
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 片刻

片刻Simplified
12Strokes
—Radical
数词shùcínumeral (num.)Part of Speech
#6671Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L6HSKKL3CEFRC1

Podcast: 片刻

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Podcast: 片刻

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AI study notes for 片刻

Quick Contrast

瞬间 (shùn jiān) - use 片刻 when emphasizing a brief moment rather than an instantaneous occurrence.

Usage Notes

片刻 is often used in both formal and informal contexts, but be cautious with its tone; ensure you pronounce it correctly to avoid misunderstandings. Common collocations include phrases like '停留片刻' (stay for a moment) or '等待片刻' (wait for a moment).

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 6 word, 片刻 connects with other time-related vocabulary, such as 时刻 (moment in time) and 瞬间 (instant). Students should focus on using it in various contexts to express the passage of time.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 片刻 with longer durations like 时刻. For example, saying '我会等你一个片刻' (I will wait for you a moment) is correct, but using it for prolonged waits can lead to misinterpretation.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 片刻

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Component characters

片piànthin piece
HSK 44 strokes片
View full entry
刻kèquarter (hour)
HSK 38 strokes刂
View full entry

How to say short period of time in Chinese

“short period of time” in Chinese is片刻piànkè

片刻 (pian4 ke4) refers to a short period of time or a moment. It is commonly used in both spoken and written Chinese to denote brief intervals, often conveying a sense of urgency or the fleeting nature of time.

When to use 片刻

片刻 is often used in both formal and informal contexts, but be cautious with its tone; ensure you pronounce it correctly to avoid misunderstandings. Common collocations include phrases like '停留片刻' (stay for a moment) or '等待片刻' (wait for a moment).

片刻 or something close to it

瞬间 (shùn jiān) - use 片刻 when emphasizing a brief moment rather than an instantaneous occurrence.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 片刻 with longer durations like 时刻. For example, saying '我会等你一个片刻' (I will wait for you a moment) is correct, but using it for prolonged waits can lead to misinterpretation.

Write 片刻

片
刻

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

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Grammar patterns of 片刻

片刻 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 2 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

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

____之后,他们身边出现了一只装着香槟的冰桶。

A moment or two later champagne in an ice-bucket materialized beside them.

Example sentences for 片刻 (8)

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1
片刻之后,他们身边出现了一只装着香槟的冰桶。

piànkè zhīhòu, tāmen shēnbiān chūxiàn le yī zhī zhuāng zhe xiāng bīn de bīng tǒng。

A moment or two later champagne in an ice-bucket materialized beside them.
2
他只求一杯清茶、片刻小憩。

tā zhī qiú yī bēi qīng chá、 piànkè xiǎo qì。

All he wanted was a cup of tea and a sit-down.
3
盖尔镇定地注视着哈里,沉默了片刻。

gài ěr zhèndìng dì zhùshì zhe Hā lǐ, chénmò le piànkè。

Gail was silent for a moment, regarding Harry with his steady gaze.
4
“ 请稍等片刻. ” 她朝下面叫道.

“ qǐng shāo děng piànkè. ” tā cháo xiàmiàn jiào dào.

" Please wait for a minute,'she called down.
5
米雷拉走近他,犹豫片刻后,和他握了握手。

mǐ léi lā zǒujìn tā, yóuyù piànkè hòu, hé tā wò le wòshǒu。

Mirella approached him and, after a brief hesitation, shook his hand.
6
她冷冷地盯着他看了片刻。

tā lěng lěng dì dīng zhe tā kàn le piànkè。

She stared stonily at him for a minute.
7
稍等片刻,我就来陪你.

shāo děng piànkè, wǒ jiù lái péi nǐ.

I'll be with you in half a tick.
8
特林纳感到意外而愣了片刻, 但她随即将心态调整了过来.

tè lín nà gǎndào yìwài ér lèng le piànkè, dàn tā suíjí jiāng xīntài tiáozhěng le guòlái.

For a moment, Triner was surprised. Then her mind shifted gears.

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Frequently asked questions about 片刻

Yes, 片刻 is appropriate for both written and spoken contexts.

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