abrir y cerrar de ojos
/abɾiɾ i θeraɾ de oxos/from spelling rules
The English phrase "blink of an eye" can be translated into Spanish as abrir y cerrar de ojos.
This phrase is used to denote a very short period of time. It is most commonly used with the preposition en to describe how quickly an action occurred, resulting in the expression en un abrir y cerrar de ojos.
Meaning: moment (a very short period of time) (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain and some parts of Latin America, the expression En un suspiro is also used to mean "in the blink of an eye".
How does it change in a sentence?
When used to mean "in a blink of an eye", the phrase is almost always preceded by the indefinite article un, forming the expression un abrir y cerrar de ojos.
Did you know?
- The verb cerrar in this expression originates from the Latin word for a 'bolt' or 'cross-bar', suggesting the closing of the eye is as secure as fastening a door.
- While English uses a single noun 'blink', the Spanish phrase abrir y cerrar de ojos uses two verbs, 'to open' and 'to close', to describe the action of a single blink.
Examples in context
- Ocurrió en un abrir y cerrar de ojos.It happened in the blink of an eye.This sentence shows how to use abrir y cerrar de ojos to describe an event happening quickly.Tatoeba #5703572 by diegohn, translation #3131524 by CK
- Los bomberos apagaron el fuego en un abrir y cerrar de ojos.The firefighters put out the fire in the blink of an eye.This sentence illustrates how abrir y cerrar de ojos can describe the speed of an action like putting out a fire.Tatoeba #544289 by Shishir, translation #542382 by FeuDRenais2
- Ella prepara exquisitos platos en un abrir y cerrar de ojos.She makes excellent meals in the blink of an eye.This sentence demonstrates using abrir y cerrar de ojos to describe someone performing a task very rapidly.Tatoeba #1730941 by marcelostockle, translation #1003122 by ellasevia
- En un abrir y cerrar de ojos, el proyecto estuvo terminado.In the blink of an eye, the project was finished.
- En un santiamén, el avión aterrizó en la pista.In the blink of an eye, the plane landed on the runway.
- Terminé el libro en un suspiro.I finished the book in the blink of an eye.
Example conversation
Daniel and María are talking about how fast the summer passed.
- DanielEl verano pasó en un abrir y cerrar de ojos.The summer passed in the blink of an eye.
- MaríaTienes razón, Daniel. Fue muy rápido.You are right, Daniel. It was very fast.
- DanielParece que ayer era junio.It seems like yesterday was June.
- MaríaSí, todo sucede en un abrir y cerrar de ojos.Yes, everything happens in the blink of an eye.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries abrir, cerrar, de, y, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
