jat1 si4一時一时

Jyutpingjat1 si4

Yaleyāt sìh

副詞Very common

Definition

For a moment, or suddenly; a short period of time.

for a short while; for the moment
suddenly; all of a sudden

colloquialtimedescriptions

How it's used

Use this to describe states that fluctuate rapidly or to explain a temporary lapse in memory or ability. It often appears in the pattern 一時...一時... to highlight inconsistent behavior or shifting moods. It functions as a temporal adverb rather than a noun referring to a specific point in time.

Examples

keoi5佢jat1一si4時hoi1開sam1心jat1一si4時m4唔hoi1開sam1心，hou2好naan4難zuk1捉mo2摸。

He is happy one moment and unhappy the next, it is hard to figure him out.

ngo5我jat1一si4時nam2諗m4唔hei2起keoi5佢giu3叫me1咩ming4名。

I cannot recall his name for the moment.

Common phrases

jat1一si4時saam1三hak1刻

in a short while

jat1一si4時jat1一joeng6樣

inconsistent

Common mistake

Do not confuse this with the Mandarin usage where it can mean 'a period of time' or 'an era'. In Cantonese, it is strictly used for sudden changes or temporary states.