一 刻(いっこく)

いっこく

noun

a moment, an instant

formaltime-general

1. a moment, an instant

A brief period of time; used especially in expressions emphasizing urgency.

一刻(いっこく)も早(はや)く行(い)きたい。

I want to go as soon as possible.

一刻(いっこく)を争(あらそ)う事態(じたい)だ。

It's an urgent situation where every moment counts.

一刻(いっこく)も無駄(むだ)にできない。

We can't waste even a moment.

一刻(いっこく) refers to a moment or instant of time.

Common expressions

一刻(いっこく)も早(はや)く: as soon as possible, without delay
一刻(いっこく)を争(あらそ)う: every moment counts (urgent)
一刻(いっこく)も無駄(むだ)にしない: not waste a single moment
一刻(いっこく)の猶予(ゆうよ)もない: no time to delay

Etymology

刻(こく) was once a unit in traditional timekeeping; today 一刻(いっこく) is used only figuratively, for a very short time, and mostly in the set phrases above. It is written and formal in tone; in conversation 一瞬(いっしゅん) or ちょっと is more usual.

Related Words

Compare: 一瞬(いっしゅん) (instant, moment, split second)

general

Added 2026.1.29 12:41 · Revised 2026.9.29 17:34

08500/08924_ikkoku