あっという間(ま)

あっというま
expression
in the blink of an eye, in no time
time-general
1. in the blink of an eye, in no time, before you know it
An expression describing something happening extremely quickly, so fast that one can only say "ah!" Literally: the interval of saying "ah."
あっという間(ま)に終(お)わった。
It was over in the blink of an eye.
休(やす)みはあっという間(ま)に過(す)ぎた。
The vacation was over before I knew it.
久(ひさ)しぶりに友達(ともだち)と話(はな)していたら、時間(じかん)があっという間(ま)に過(す)ぎた。
I was chatting with a friend I hadn't seen in a while, and time flew by in no time.

あっという間(ま) literally means "the space/interval of saying 'ah!'" — so brief you barely have time to exclaim.

Common patterns

  • あっという間(ま)に + verb (in no time, ~): あっという間(ま)に終(お)わった (It was over in a flash)
  • あっという間(ま)だった (it went by in no time)
  • あっという間(ま)の + noun (fleeting ~): あっという間(ま)の出来事(できごと) (a fleeting event)

Usage

Most often followed by に as an adverb, or by だった. Very common in everyday conversation and writing. Often expresses surprise at how quickly time has passed or an event occurred. Used for both positive and neutral situations (a fun time passing quickly, an event ending suddenly).

Similar words

Related Words

Compare: 一瞬で (in an instant)
Compare: 瞬(またた)く間(ま)に (in the blink of an eye)
Compare: すぐに (immediately, right away)
general
Added 2026.2.7 20:20 · Revised 2026.10.10 3:19
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