jat1 si4 gaan1一時間一时间
Jyutpingjat1 si4 gaan1
Yaleyāt sìh gāan
Definition
In an instant; all of a sudden; in a very short period of time.
colloquialtime
How it's used
Use this to describe a state of being caught off guard or unable to process something immediately. It often implies a temporary lapse in memory, reaction, or decision making rather than a permanent change. It is frequently paired with negative verbs like 諗唔起 or 接受唔到 to highlight a momentary mental block.
Examples
Related words
Common phrases
cannot react in time
cannot accept it all of a sudden
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the Mandarin usage of 一時間, which can sometimes imply a longer duration or a specific point in time; in Cantonese, it strictly emphasizes the suddenness or the lack of preparation for an immediate situation.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
