Definition
一刻 originally meant a quarter of an hour (15 minutes) in traditional Chinese timekeeping. In modern usage it means a very short period of time, often used in negative constructions like 一刻也不… (not even for a moment) or in the set phrase 一刻不停 (non-stop). It is more formal and literary than 一会儿.
n.
a brief momenta short while
Examples
- 一刻。Tā yí kè bù tíng de gōngzuò.She works without stopping for a moment.
- 一刻。Qǐng děng wǒ yí kè zhōng.Please wait for me a quarter of an hour.
- 一刻。Tā yí kè yě lí bù kāi shǒujī.He can't leave his phone for a moment.
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