Chinese word

片刻

Pronunciation

Pinyinpiàn kè

Meaning

  • nounmoment

Example

请等片刻，我马上回来。qǐng děng piàn kè wǒ mǎ shàng huí lái

Please wait a moment; I'll be right back.

Illustration for 片刻 (moment)

More examples

片刻之后，他才想起来带钥匙。piàn kè zhī hòu tā cái xiǎng qǐ lái dài yào shi

Only after a moment did he remember to bring the keys.

Core concept

It is a brief stretch of time set apart from a longer activity or wait.

Common phrases

  • 稍等片刻shāo děng piàn kè

    wait a moment

  • 片刻之后piàn kè zhī hòu

    after a moment

Similar words

一会儿yí huìr: A short while, often lasting for several minutes.
会儿huìr: A short while in casual spoken language.

Definition in Chinese

极短的时间，一般指瞬间或几分钟的短暂间隔。jí duǎn de shí jiān yì bān zhǐ shùn jiān huò jǐ fēn zhōng de duǎn zàn jiàn gé

Word origin

In traditional time language, 刻 (kè, "quarter-hour") marks a measured time division, and 片 (piàn, "piece") turns that idea into a small portion of time.

Usage tips

  • The word can follow verbs for waiting or pausing, so it functions as a duration rather than the name of a precise clock unit.

Other meanings

  • for a whileadverb
  • a quarter of an hournoun

Word lists with this word