瞬(またた)く間(ま)に

またたくまに

adverb

in the blink of an eye; in an instant; in no time

1. in the blink of an eye; in an instant; in no time

Describes something happening extremely quickly, in the time it takes to blink. Often used to express surprise at how fast something occurred.

火(ひ)は瞬(またた)く間(ま)に広(ひろ)がった。

The fire spread in an instant.

新商品(しんしょうひん)は瞬(またた)く間(ま)に売(う)り切(き)れた。

The new product sold out in no time.

子供(こども)たちは瞬(またた)く間(ま)に大(おお)きくなるので、一日一日(いちにちいちにち)を大切(たいせつ)にしたい。

Children grow up in the blink of an eye, so I want to cherish each day.

Literally 'in the interval of blinking' (瞬(またた)く to blink + 間(ま) interval + に). The image is that something happens so fast it occurs within a single blink of the eye.

Common collocations

瞬(またた)く間(ま)に広(ひろ)がる: to spread in an instant
瞬(またた)く間(ま)に過(す)ぎる: to pass in a flash
瞬(またた)く間(ま)に売(う)り切(き)れる: to sell out instantly
瞬(またた)く間(ま)に消(き)える: to vanish in an instant

Similar words

あっという間(ま)に: in no time, before you know it — more colloquial and conversational
一瞬(いっしゅん)で: in a moment — emphasizes a single instant
たちまち: immediately, at once — similar speed but slightly more formal
みるみる: visibly, rapidly — emphasizes that the change is observable in real time

Related Words

Compare: あっという間(ま)に (in no time, before you know it)

Compare: 一瞬で (in a moment)

Compare: たちまち (immediately, at once)

Compare: みるみる (visibly, rapidly)

Compare: 瞬間(しゅんかん) (moment, instant, second)

Compare: あっという間(ま) (in the blink of an eye, in no time)

general

Added 2026.4.1 23:16 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02

21000/21215_matatakumani