瞬間
shunkan[ɕɨ̃ŋkã̠ɴ]
The Japanese word for "moment" is 瞬間 (shunkan).
瞬間 is used to refer to a specific point in time or a particular moment.
Meaning: very brief period of time (noun)
Which one should you use?
While 瞬間 refers to a specific point in time or a "moment", the related term 一瞬 is used to emphasize extreme brevity, such as a "split second" or an "instant".
How do you pronounce it?
shunkan
Did you know?
- In Japanese, the concept of 'the moment' is often tied to 物の哀れ (mono no aware), a cultural aesthetic that finds beauty in the transience of a fleeting moment.
- The character 瞬 in 瞬間 or 一瞬 depicts an eye with a small vertical stroke beneath it, symbolizing the rapid movement of an eyelid.
- If you want to describe a 'moment' in a very poetic or classical way, you might use the word 刹那, which originates from Buddhist concepts of time.
Examples in context
- この瞬間を楽しみたい。I want to enjoy this moment.This sentence is useful for expressing a desire to enjoy the current moment with 瞬間.Tatoeba #10776899 by small_snow, translation #5193555 by CK
- 見た瞬間、彼女だとわかった。I recognized her the moment I saw her.This sentence demonstrates using 瞬間 to describe an action that happened the moment someone was seen.Tatoeba #157274 by bunbuku, translation #257258 by CK
- 私は決定的瞬間を写真に撮った。I took a picture at the decisive moment.This sentence shows how 瞬間 can be used to describe a decisive moment in photography.Tatoeba #157337 by bunbuku, translation #257197 by CM
- 彼女の笑顔に出会った瞬間、彼の心は躍りました。His heart leapt the moment he saw her smile.
- ちょっと待って、写真を撮らせてください。Wait a moment, may I take a photo?
- 一瞬だけ会えるので、是非会いに来てください。Since we can meet for just a moment, please come and see me.
- 20 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A couple is looking at the night sky at an observatory.
- 大翔 Hiroto美しい瞬間だね。Utsukushii shunkan dane.It is a beautiful moment, isn't it?
- 美咲 Misaki本当に、言葉にできないよ。Hontou ni, kotoba ni dekinai yo.Truly, I can't put it into words.
- 大翔 Hirotoこの瞬間を忘れたくない。Kono shunkan o wasuretakunai.I don't want to forget this moment.
- 美咲 Misaki私も、ずっと覚えておくよ。Watashi mo, zutto oboete oku yo.I will remember it forever, too.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “moment” translations and entries 瞬間, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
