1.
moment; instant; split second
An extremely brief moment in time. Originally a Buddhist term for the shortest possible unit of time. Used in literary and dramatic contexts to describe a fleeting instant, often at a critical or climactic point.
その刹那、稲妻が走った。
At that very instant, lightning flashed.
目が合った刹那、心臓が高鳴った。
The moment our eyes met, my heart began to race.
爆発の刹那、彼は地面に伏せて難を逃れた。
At the instant of the explosion, he threw himself to the ground and escaped harm.
USAGE:
刹那 is literary and dramatic. It typically appears in the pattern その刹那 (at that very instant) or ～の刹那 (at the moment of ~). Not used in everyday casual conversation — 瞬間 is the neutral equivalent.
COMMON PATTERNS:
- その刹那 (at that very instant)
- ～した刹那 (the moment ~ happened)
- 一瞬の刹那 (a fleeting instant)
SIMILAR WORDS:
瞬間 (moment/instant) is the standard, neutral word for a brief moment. 刹那 is more literary and carries a sense of dramatic tension. 刹那的 (momentary, living for the moment) is a common derivative.