1.
in a short time; overnight; in a day
A very brief period of time. Almost always used in negative constructions to mean something cannot be achieved quickly.
語学は一朝一夕には身につかない。
Language skills can't be acquired overnight.
信頼は一朝一夕には築けない。
Trust can't be built in a day.
一朝一夕で成功できるわけがない。
There's no way you can succeed overnight.
Literally "one morning, one evening" - meaning a single day.
USAGE PATTERN:
Almost always used in negative sentences:
- ～は一朝一夕には～ない
- 一朝一夕で～できない
EMPHASIS:
The phrase emphasizes that worthwhile things require time and sustained effort to achieve.
SIMILAR EXPRESSIONS:
- 一日にして成らず: Rome wasn't built in a day
- 一夜にして: overnight (can be positive)