Definitions

miǎo (noun) second (unit of time)
miǎo (adverb) instantly; in an instant

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "秒" is structured with the semantic component 禾, indicating grain, and the component 少, which served as a phonetic marker while concurrently conveying a sense of smallness. Initially, the character denoted the fine husk or beard of grain, focusing on minute physical attributes. Over time, this association with extreme fineness facilitated its semantic expansion into abstract measurements, leading to its adoption in timekeeping where it now represents a second, defined as one sixtieth of a minute. This shift from describing granular agricultural details to specifying a precise unit of time illustrates the character's conceptual alignment with diminutiveness across different domains.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

时间一地过去。

Shíjiān yī miǎo yī miǎo de guòqù.

Time passes second by second.

针走得非常准确。

Miǎozhēn zǒu dé fēicháng zhǔnquè.

The second hand moves very accurately.

他仅仅用了十钟。

Tā jǐnjǐn yòngle shí miǎozhōng.

He used only ten seconds.

我们分必争地工作。

Wǒmen fēn miǎo bì zhēng de gōngzuò.

We work racing against every minute and second.

他的反应速度快了几

Tā de fǎnyìng sùdù kuài le jǐ miǎo.

His reaction speed was a few seconds faster.

这台电脑启动只要五

Zhè tái diànnǎo qǐdòng zhǐ yào wǔ miǎo.

This computer takes only five seconds to start up.

她在比赛的最后几反超。

Tā zài bǐsài de zuìhòu jǐ miǎo fǎnchāo.

She overtook in the last few seconds of the race.

这件商品刚上架就被杀。

Zhè jiàn shāngpǐn gāng shàngjià jiù bèi miǎoshā.

This item sold out instantly as soon as it was listed.