saap3 si4霎時霎时
Jyutpingsaap3 si4
Yalesaap sìh
Definition
In the blink of an eye; in a split second; a very short moment.
colloquialtime
How it's used
Focuses on the suddenness of an event occurring within a fleeting moment. It often implies a sense of surprise or an unexpected change in situation. While interchangeable with 剎那 in formal writing, 霎時 is much more common in everyday spoken Cantonese.
Examples
He disappeared in the blink of an eye.
Related words
Common phrases
in a split second
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe a duration that lasts for a few minutes or longer, as it specifically emphasizes an instantaneous or near-instantaneous timeframe.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
