一念之差 (yī niàn zhī chā) — a momentary lapse in judgment with severe repercussions

Definition

A chengyu meaning one bad thought in a single moment led to disaster — a momentary lapse in judgment with life-changing consequences. Sets up a cause-and-effect regret ('if only I hadn't…').

noun
a momentary lapse in judgment with severe repercussions

Examples

  • 一念之差。
    yī niàn zhī chā Dǎo zhì tā shī qù le zuì hǎo de jī huì.
    A momentary slip caused him to lose the best opportunity.
  • 一念之差，。
    Jiù yīn wèi yī niàn zhī chā, tā de rén shēng cóng cǐ gǎi biàn le.
    Just because of a momentary wrong decision, his life changed from then on.
  • 一念之差。
    Nà ge shì gù wán quán shì yī niàn zhī chā zào chéng de.
    That accident was entirely caused by a momentary lapse in judgment.

Origin

Characters in this word

An abstract idea shown by a mark or a diagram rather than by a picture of an object.

一 is drawn as one horizontal stroke, marking the number one.

Open 一 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

念 combines 今, an upside-down mouth, with 心, the heart, to listen to one's heart.

Open 念 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

The shape pairs 止, a foot, with 一, a beginning place, and means to go.

Open 之 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

  • 來來láiwheat
  • 𠂇𠂇𠂇left hand

差 pairs 來 (wheat) with 𠂇 (left hand), showing wheat rubbed in a hand to remove its hull.

Open 差 →

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