seon3 sik1 maan6 bin3瞬息萬變瞬息万变

Jyutpingseon3 sik1 maan6 bin3

Yaleseun sīk maahn bin

語句

Definition

To change rapidly and continuously in a very short period of time.

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How it's used

This idiom is primarily used in formal or semi-formal contexts to describe situations that are highly volatile or unpredictable. While it is a four-character idiom, it fits naturally into spoken Cantonese when discussing business, politics, or fast-paced trends. It carries a sense of urgency and emphasizes the speed at which circumstances can shift.

Examples

fo1科gei6技faat3發zin2展seon3瞬sik1息maan6萬bin3變，zan1真hai6係zeoi1追m4唔cit3切。

Technological development changes in a blink, it is really impossible to keep up.

ni1呢go3個si5市coeng4場seon3瞬sik1息maan6萬bin3變，nei5你dim2點joeng2樣bou6部cyu5署aa4呀？

This market changes rapidly, how are you planning to deploy your strategy?

Common phrases

guk6局sai3勢seon3瞬sik1息maan6萬bin3變

the situation is changing rapidly

si5市coeng4場seon3瞬sik1息maan6萬bin3變

the market is highly volatile

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a general term for 'fast' or 'quick', but it specifically refers to the volatility and constant shifting of a situation rather than just the speed of an action.