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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.
Strokes24Frequency#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
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About 瞬间
瞬间Simplified
瞬間Traditional
24Strokes
—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.
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.
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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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.
When to use 瞬间
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.
瞬间 or something close to it
瞬息 (shùnxī) - use 瞬间 for a specific brief moment, while 瞬息 emphasizes the fleeting nature of time itself.
What learners get wrong
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.
Write 瞬间
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.
