jat1 zan6 zi2一陣子一阵子

Jyutpingjat1 zan6 zi2

Yaleyāt jahn jí

名詞

Definition

A period of time, which can be either short or long; a while.

colloquialtime

How it's used

While 一陣子 is understood, native speakers in Hong Kong overwhelmingly prefer the more idiomatic 一陣 or 一陣間. Using 一陣子 can sound slightly more formal or literary, sometimes carrying a subtle influence from written Chinese or Mandarin. In casual speech, sticking to 一陣 is the most natural way to sound like a local.

Examples

ngo5我hai2喺dou6度dang2等zo2咗jat1一zan6陣zi2子，keoi5佢sin1先zi3至ceot1出jin6現。

I waited here for a while before he finally showed up.

nei5你ho2可m4唔ho2可ji5以bong1幫ngo5我tai2睇zyu6住jat1一zan6陣zi2子aa4呀？

Can you help me keep an eye on it for a while?

Common phrases

dang2等jat1一zan6陣zi2子

wait for a while

jau1休sik1息jat1一zan6陣zi2子

rest for a while

Common mistake

Learners often use 一陣子 when they mean 'in a moment' or 'later', but it specifically refers to a duration of time rather than a future point in time. If you want to say 'I will do it later', use 一陣間 instead.