瞬

shùn
目 + 舜

Definitions

shùn (verb) to blink; to wink

Etymology phono-semantic

eye

Semantic: 目 Phonetic: 舜

About

The character 瞬 is a phono-semantic compound: the left component 目 (eye) signals a meaning related to vision, and the right component 舜 provides the pronunciation. Originally it meant to blink or wink. Because a blink is instantaneous, the sense naturally extended to a fleeting moment or split second, now its most common meaning, often used for rapid transitions.

Example Sentences Hide

瞬间天就黑了。

Shùnjiān tiān jiù hēi le.

In an instant, the sky turned dark.

那一瞬间我很开心。

Nà yī shùnjiān wǒ hěn kāixīn.

At that moment, I was very happy.

火光瞬间照亮了房间。

Huǒguāng shùnjiān zhàoliàng le fángjiān.

The firelight instantly illuminated the room.

他瞬间就明白了我的意思。

Tā shùnjiān jiù míngbái le wǒ de yìsi.

He instantly understood my meaning.

时间在瞬间流逝。

Shíjiān zài shùnjiān liúshì.

Time passes in an instant.

现代科技使信息传递变得瞬间可达。

Xiàndài kējì shǐ xìnxī chuándì biàn dé shùnjiān kě dá.

Modern technology makes information transmission instantly accessible.

在那生死瞬间，他做出了勇敢的决定。

Zài nà shēngsǐ shùnjiān, tā zuò chūle yǒnggǎn de juédìng.

At that life-and-death moment, he made a brave decision.

宇宙的演化在人类看来是漫长的，但在宇宙尺度上只是瞬间。

Yǔzhòu de yǎnhuà zài rénlèi kàn lái shì màncháng de, dàn zài yǔzhòu chǐdù shàng zhǐshì shùnjiān.

The evolution of the universe seems lengthy to humans, but on a cosmic scale, it is just an instant.

Related Characters

Component: 目

着 看 相 目 眼 省 睛 督 睡 冒 泪 眉 瞧 盯

Component: 舜

蕣

Example Words

瞬间 一瞬 转瞬 一瞬间 瞬息 瞬息万变 瞬时