in the blink of an eye; in an instant
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesadverb
in a flash; in the blink of an eye; quickly
neutralUsed to describe how time passes by very quickly, often at the beginning of a sentence or clause. Highlights a rapid change of state or scenery.
Dōng冬
tiān天
guò过
qù去
，
zhuǎn转
yǎn眼
yòu又
shì是
chūn春
tiān天
le了
。
Winter passed, and in the blink of an eye, it was spring again.
Zhuǎn转
yǎn眼
jiān间
，
hái孩
zi子
men们
dōu都
zhǎng长
dà大
le了
。
In an instant, the children have all grown up.
Show 2 more examplesShow fewer examples
Shí十
nián年
guò过
qù去
，
zhuǎn转
yǎn眼
tā他
jiù就
yào要
tuì退
xiū休
le了
。
Ten years have passed, and in a flash, he's about to retire.
Gāng刚
cái才
hái还
zài在
tǎo讨
lùn论
jì计
huà划
，
zhuǎn转
yǎn眼
tā他
jiù就
kāi开
shǐ始
xíng行
dòng动
le了
。
We were just discussing the plan, and in the blink of an eye, he started taking action.