ひととき

ひととき
noun
a moment, a while, a brief time
1. a moment, a while, a brief time
A relatively short period of time, often one that is pleasant or memorable. Has a somewhat literary or poetic feel.
幸(しあわ)せなひとときだった。
It was a happy moment.
家族(かぞく)とのひとときを大切(たいせつ)にしたい。
I want to cherish the time with my family.
忙(いそが)しい毎日(まいにち)の中(なか)で、コーヒーを飲(の)むひとときが何(なに)よりの癒(いや)しだ。
In the midst of busy days, the moment of drinking coffee is the greatest comfort.

The kanji form is 一時(ひととき), but hiragana is more common in this meaning.

NUANCE:
ひととき has a warm, somewhat poetic connotation. It is often used for pleasant, treasured moments of time rather than neutral time references.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 楽(たの)しいひととき: an enjoyable moment
  • 安(やす)らぎのひととき: a moment of peace
  • ひとときの休息(きゅうそく): a brief rest
  • ひとときも目(め)が離(はな)せない: can't take one's eyes off for even a moment

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 一瞬(いっしゅん): an instant (much shorter)
  • しばらく: a while (longer, neutral)
  • 束(つか)の間(ま): fleeting moment (emphasizes brevity)
general
Added 2026.2.8 6:20
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