片刻
piàn kèa short period of time, often used to emphasize brevity
请稍等片刻，我马上回来。
Please wait a brief moment; I'll be right back.
片刻的沉默后，他开始说话了。
After a brief silence, he began to speak.
Often used to describe a very short duration, sometimes with a sense of impatience or urgency.
Related Phrases
💡Pro Tip
Usage in Time Expressions
'片刻' is often used with time-related verbs like '等' (wait) or '沉默' (silence) to emphasize brevity.
⚡Gold Rule
Avoid Overuse
While '片刻' is useful for emphasizing short durations, avoid using it excessively in formal writing.
📖Word Origin
Composed of '片' (a slice or brief part) and '刻' (a unit of time, originally a quarter of an hour). Together, they form a phrase meaning a very short duration.
📝Usage Notes
Commonly used in both spoken and written Chinese to describe a very short period of time, often with a sense of urgency or impatience.