Japanese word

刹那

Pronunciation

Romajisetsuna

Meaning

  • nouninstant

Example

その刹那、時計が止まりました。so no setsu na tokei ga to ma ri ma shi ta

At that instant, the clock stopped.

Illustration for 刹那 (instant)

More examples

音楽が終わる刹那、会場は静まりました。on gaku ga o wa ru setsu na kai jō wa shizu ma ri ma shi ta

The hall fell silent at the instant the music ended.

Core concept

Describes a point in time so brief that it feels almost gone as soon as it begins.

Common phrases

  • 刹那にsetsu na ni

    at that instant

  • その刹那so no setsu na

    at that instant

Similar words

一瞬isshun: A single, extremely brief point in time.
瞬間shunkan: The exact point at which an event happens or a very short time during it.
瞬時shunji: An extremely short time in which something happens or changes.

Definition in Japanese

時間の流れの中で、極めて短い一瞬。ji kan no naga re no naka de kiwa me te mijika i is shun

Word origin

刹那 (setsuna) comes through Buddhist Chinese from Sanskrit kṣaṇa, meaning "a moment."

Usage tips

  • In conversation, 刹那 (setsuna) sounds literary, while 一瞬 (isshun) is the usual everyday word for the same very brief time.

Opposites

Related words

  • 刹那的setsunatekimomentaryna-adjective
  • 刹那性setsunaseimomentarinessnoun

Word lists with this word