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一刹那 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
一刹那a moment; an instant; in a flashHSK 7, unknown, 15 strokes, rank #18654, Very Hard
  1. 1a moment
  2. 2an instant
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March 24, 2026

一刹那

一刹那 (yī chànà) refers to a very brief moment in time, akin to 'an instant' or 'a flash'. It is often used in literary contexts to convey the fleeting nature of time or experiences, emphasizing how quickly things can change.

Strokes15Frequency#18654DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

The concept of fleeting moments is deeply rooted in Chinese poetry and philosophy, reflecting the transient nature of life, as seen in Buddhist teachings. 一刹那 captures this essence beautifully.

Memory tip

Imagine a flash of light that lasts for just a '刹那' (chànà), like a camera shutter clicking open and closed in an instant. The character '一' (yī) means 'one', representing the singularity of that fleeting moment, while '刹' (chà) can remind you of 'stop'—the brief pause before time moves on.

Meanings of 一刹那

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In English

What does 一刹那 mean in English?

一刹那

About 一刹那

一刹那Simplified
15Strokes
—Radical
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

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Podcast: 一刹那

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AI study notes for 一刹那

Quick Contrast

瞬间 (shùnjiān) - use 一刹那 for a more literary or poetic nuance, while 瞬间 is more commonly used in everyday speech.

Usage Notes

Common mistakes include confusing 一刹那 with longer expressions for time. It is more informal and poetic, so use it in casual writing or conversation rather than formal contexts. Note that it often collocates with verbs that describe change or realization.

HSK Study Tips

Though not in the HSK lists, 一刹那 can be useful for advanced learners. Focus on how it complements verbs related to time and change, and practice using it in sentences to describe quick transformations or realizations.

Common Mistakes

Learners often incorrectly use 一刹那 to describe longer timeframes, such as '一刹那的时间' (which implies a longer duration). Instead, just say '一刹那' by itself to emphasize the briefness.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 一刹那

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Component characters

一yīone
HSK 11 strokes一
View full entry
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 a moment in Chinese

“a moment” in Chinese is一刹那

一刹那 (yī chànà) refers to a very brief moment in time, akin to 'an instant' or 'a flash'. It is often used in literary contexts to convey the fleeting nature of time or experiences, emphasizing how quickly things can change.

When to use 一刹那

Common mistakes include confusing 一刹那 with longer expressions for time. It is more informal and poetic, so use it in casual writing or conversation rather than formal contexts. Note that it often collocates with verbs that describe change or realization.

一刹那 or something close to it

瞬间 (shùnjiān) - use 一刹那 for a more literary or poetic nuance, while 瞬间 is more commonly used in everyday speech.

What learners get wrong

Learners often incorrectly use 一刹那 to describe longer timeframes, such as '一刹那的时间' (which implies a longer duration). Instead, just say '一刹那' by itself to emphasize the briefness.

Write 一刹那

一
刹
那

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Frequently asked questions about 一刹那

You can say: '在一刹那间,我明白了她的心情' (In an instant, I understood her feelings).

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