jam5 jim5荏苒
Jyutpingjam5 jim5
Yaleyáhm yíhm
Definition
(Of time) to slip away, pass imperceptibly, or fly by.
writtentime
How it's used
Literary and formal in nature, this expression is rarely used in casual daily speech. It carries a poetic or nostalgic tone, often appearing in written essays, speeches, or reflective writing. When spoken aloud, it is usually reserved for sentimental or serious contexts rather than everyday conversation.
Examples
Time flies, a few years have passed in the blink of an eye.
Time passes quickly, do you still remember things from the past?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use this in casual settings where it sounds overly dramatic or stiff. It is not a direct substitute for common phrases like 時間過得好快.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
