一时

• Pinyin: yī shí
• Hanzi breakdown: 一 = one; 时 = 日 (sun) + 寺 (temple/phonetic) — time

Meaning

For a moment; temporarily; momentarily; on the spur of the moment. Describes brief duration or impulsive action.

Indicates something happening briefly or temporarily, often unexpectedly. Can describe momentary emotions, impulsive decisions, or temporary situations. Also appears in expressions like 一时半会儿 (for quite a while) with slightly different meaning.

Examples

1. 他一时冲动辞掉了工作，现在后悔得要命。 He impulsively quit his job on a whim, and now he regrets it terribly.
2. 这个名字我一时想不起来，给我点时间想想。 I can't recall this name at the moment — give me some time to think.
3. 她一时语塞，不知道该怎么回应他的话。 She was momentarily speechless, not knowing how to respond to his words.

Usage Guide

Context: daily conversation, narrative, explanation

Tone: casual

Do Say

• 我一时想不起来了。(I can't remember at the moment.)
• 别一时冲动做决定。(Don't make decisions on impulse.)

Don't Say

• 一时三个小时。(一时 means a moment, not a duration — don't combine with specific time lengths)

Origin & History

Compound of 一 (one) and 时 (time, moment). Literally 'one moment,' meaning a brief period of time.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal