Japanese word

ひととき

Pronunciation

Romajihitotoki

Meaning

  • nouna moment

Example

庭で静かなひとときを過ごします。niwa de shizu ka na hi to to ki o su go shi ma su

I spend a quiet moment in the garden.

Illustration for ひととき (a moment)

More examples

旅先で、偶然出会った人とのひとときを楽しみました。tabi saki de gū zen de a tta hito to no hi to to ki o tano shi mi ma shi ta

I enjoyed a moment with someone I met by chance while traveling.

Core concept

Presents time as a small, self-contained interval set apart from the longer flow of events.

Common phrases

  • ひとときを過ごすhi to to ki o su go su

    spend a moment

  • ひとときを楽しむhi to to ki o tano shi mu

    enjoy a moment

  • ひとときを味わうhi to to ki o aji wa u

    savor a moment

Similar words

時間jikan: A period of time measured or understood as having a certain length.
一時ichiji: A short period that may be temporary or transitional.
束の間tsukanoma: A very short period that passes quickly.
暫時zanji: A short period expressed in formal language.

Definition in Japanese

しばらくの間。また、特定の短い時間。shi ba ra ku no aida ma ta toku tei no mijika i ji kan

Word origin

The word ひととき (hitotoki) combines ひと (hito, "one") with とき (toki, "time"), giving the sense of one limited period.

Usage tips

  • Compared with 時間 (jikan), ひととき (hitotoki) often has a softer and more literary tone when describing a brief period of rest or enjoyment.

Other meanings

  • a whilenoun
  • a short timenoun

Word lists with this word