Looking up...
片刻
piàn kè
What does "片刻" mean in English?
a brief moment他只等了片刻就离开了。
He waited for a brief moment before leaving.
How to use "片刻" correctly: definitions and examples in English?
informal
a 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.
Word Breakdown
片
a slice or brief part
root刻
a unit of time (originally a quarter of an hour)
root汉英词典