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刹那 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
刹那chànàan instant (Sanskrit: ksana)HSK 7, t, 14 strokes, rank #32892, Very Hard
刹那chànàsplit secondHSK 7, t, 14 strokes, rank #32892, Very Hard
刹那chànàthe twinkling of an eyeHSK 7, t, 14 strokes, rank #32892, Very Hard
chànà(cha4na4)cha na T4
  1. 1an instant (Sanskrit: ksana)
  2. 2split second
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March 24, 2026

刹那(剎那)chànà(cha4na4)

刹那 refers to an extremely brief moment in time, often used to convey the idea of something fleeting or transient. It is commonly used in literary contexts, as well as in philosophical discussions about the nature of time and existence.

Strokes14Frequency#32892DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Buddhist philosophy, the concept of 刹那 is significant, representing the idea of impermanence and the transient nature of all things, reflecting a core belief in the fleetingness of life.

Memory Tip

Imagine a clock where the second hand stops at just one instant—this is a 刹那. The character 刹 (cha4) can remind you of a 'stop' (like a stop sign), and 那 (na4) sounds like 'now,' emphasizing the immediacy of that moment.

Meanings of 刹那

chànà(cha4na4)
1an instant (Sanskrit: ksana)
2split second
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About 刹那

刹那Simplified
剎那Traditional
14Strokes
—Radical
时间词time word (t.)Part of Speech
#32892Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7HSKKL3CEFRC1

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Podcast: 刹那

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AI Study Notes for 刹那

Quick Contrast

瞬间 (shùnjiān) - use 刹那 when emphasizing the fleeting, almost ethereal quality of a moment, while 瞬间 is more neutral and can refer to any brief moment.

Usage Notes

Be cautious when using 刹那; it is typically more formal and may not be suitable for casual conversations. It often collocates with terms like '变化' (change) or '光亮' (brightness) to describe fleeting experiences. Remember to pronounce it with the correct fourth tones.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 6 word, 刹那 connects well with other abstract concepts related to time and perception. Students should focus on its use in literature and philosophical texts to deepen their understanding of temporal discussions.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 刹那 with the more general term '瞬间' (shun4 jian1), which also means 'instant' but is less formal. Ensure you use 刹那 in contexts that require a deeper or more philosophical connotation.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 刹那

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Component Characters

刹chàBuddhist monastery, temple or shrine (abbr. for 剎多羅, Sanskrit ksetra)
8 strokes刂
View full entry
那nàthat
HSK 16 strokes阝
View full entry

How to say an instant (Sanskrit: ksana) in Chinese

“an instant (Sanskrit: ksana)” in Chinese is刹那chànà

刹那 refers to an extremely brief moment in time, often used to convey the idea of something fleeting or transient. It is commonly used in literary contexts, as well as in philosophical discussions about the nature of time and existence.

When to use 刹那

Be cautious when using 刹那; it is typically more formal and may not be suitable for casual conversations. It often collocates with terms like '变化' (change) or '光亮' (brightness) to describe fleeting experiences. Remember to pronounce it with the correct fourth tones.

刹那 or something close to it

瞬间 (shùnjiān) - use 刹那 when emphasizing the fleeting, almost ethereal quality of a moment, while 瞬间 is more neutral and can refer to any brief moment.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 刹那 with the more general term '瞬间' (shun4 jian1), which also means 'instant' but is less formal. Ensure you use 刹那 in contexts that require a deeper or more philosophical connotation.

Write 刹那

刹
那

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Frequently Asked Questions about 刹那

Yes, but it's more commonly found in literature or philosophical discussions due to its formal tone.

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