jat1 zik6 zi1 gaan1一夕之間一夕之间
Jyutpingjat1 zik6 zi1 gaan1
Yaleyāt jihk jī gāan
Definition
Overnight; in a very short period of time.
writtentime
How it's used
Literary in origin, this phrase is frequently used in news reports or dramatic storytelling to emphasize the suddenness of a drastic change. It carries a sense of gravity or surprise that simple time expressions lack. While it literally refers to a single night, it is almost always applied to abstract concepts like status, wealth, or physical landscapes rather than literal sleep cycles.
Examples
His shop went out of business overnight.
Why has this place changed so much overnight?
Related words
Common phrases
to become famous overnight
to disappear overnight
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe literal events that happen while someone is sleeping, such as waking up with a cold. It is reserved for significant, often irreversible shifts in circumstances.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
