zyun2 seon3轉瞬转瞬

Jyutpingzyun2 seon3

Yalejyún seun

Definition

In the blink of an eye; in an instant; in a flash.

writtentime

How it's used

This term is primarily used in written or formal contexts to describe an extremely short duration of time. While it appears in literature or news, it sounds quite unnatural and overly dramatic if used in casual, everyday spoken Cantonese. For daily conversation, locals prefer using phrases like 一眨眼 or 好快.

Examples

zyun2轉seon3瞬zi1之gaan1間，keoi5佢ji5已ging1經m4唔gin3見zo2咗。

In a split second, he had already disappeared.

le1呢gei2幾nin4年zyun2轉seon3瞬zik1即sai6逝，hou2好ci5似faat3發mung6夢gam3咁。

These few years passed in a flash, just like a dream.

Common phrases

zyun2轉seon3瞬zik1即sai6逝

fleeting

zyun2轉seon3瞬zi1之gaan1間

in a flash

Common mistake

Learners often mistakenly use this in casual conversation where it sounds overly literary or poetic, similar to using 'in the twinkling of an eye' during a casual chat about grocery shopping.