一秒
ichibyō
In Japanese, "one second" is said as 一秒 (ichibyō).
一秒 refers specifically to the unit of time equal to one second. Similar to English, it is also used figuratively to mean "a moment" or "a very short time."
How does it change in a sentence?
To emphasize the duration of the one-second interval, you can add the suffix 間 to the word to form 一秒間 (ichibyō-kan).
How do you pronounce it?
ichibyō
Did you know?
- While 一秒 means 'one second', Japanese has a unique word 刹那 (setsuna) to describe an 'instant' or 'moment' that is even shorter than a second. This word originates from the Buddhist translation of the Sanskrit term 'ksana'.
- The word 秒 is used in the Japanese word for 'second-hand' on a clock, 秒針 (byōshin). The 針 part literally means 'needle', treating the clock hand as a sewing needle pointing at the time.
- The character 秒 originally referred to the 'second' in a sequence of divisions of a day, but it also shares a meaning with 'slender' or 'thin'. This reflects the idea of slicing time into thinner and thinner slivers.
Examples in context
- 一秒も待てません。ichibyou mo matemasen.I can't wait even one second.
- 一秒ごとにライトが点滅します。ichibyou goto ni raito ga tenmetsu shimasu.The light flashes every one second.
- その時計は一秒ずれています。sono tokei wa ichibyou zurete imasu.That clock is off by one second.
Example conversation
Misaki and Kenta are timing a race.
- 美咲 Misaki健太、準備はいい？Kenta, junbi wa ii?Kenta, are you ready?
- 健太 Kentaうん、いつでもいいよ。un, itsudemo ii yo.Yeah, I'm ready anytime.
- 美咲 Misakiあと一秒でスタートするよ！ato ichibyo de sutaato suru yo!Starting in one second!
- 健太 Kentaよし、いくぞ！yoshi, iku zo!Alright, here I go!
