jat1 sik1 gaan1一息間一息间

Jyutpingjat1 sik1 gaan1

Yaleyāt sīk gāan

副詞

Definition

In a moment; after a while; in a little while.

writtentime

How it's used

Carries a literary and slightly formal tone that distinguishes it from the everyday colloquial term 一陣間. It is often encountered in public announcements, formal speeches, or written prose to create a sense of elegance or gravity. Using it in casual conversation can sound overly dramatic or archaic.

Examples

wui6會ji5議jat1一sik1息gaan1間zau6就wui2會hoi1開ci2始，ceng2請daai6大gaa1家co5坐hou2好。

The meeting will start in a little while, please take your seats.

nei5你ho2可m4唔ho2可ji5以dang2等ngo5我jat1一sik1息gaan1間？

Can you wait for me for a little while?

Common phrases

jat1一sik1息gaan1間hoi1開ci2始

to start in a little while

jat1一sik1息gaan1間jyun4完git3結

to finish in a little while

Common mistake

Learners often confuse this with 一息, which refers to a single breath or a very brief moment. While 一息間 implies a short duration, it is specifically used to denote a future interval rather than the physical act of breathing.