分秒 (fēn miǎo) — a split second; a very brief moment; an instant

Definition

Literary noun for 'every minute and second' — emphasizes how very short a moment is. Used in set phrases like 分秒必争 to convey racing against time.

noun
a split seconda very brief momentan instant

Examples

  • 。
    Měi yì fēn miǎo dōu hěn zhēn guì.
    Every split second is precious.
  • ，。
    Wǒ men fēn miǎo bì zhēng, bù néng làng fèi yì miǎo zhōng.
    We must race against time and not waste a single second.
  • 分秒。
    Tā zhuā zhù le nà ge fēn miǎo de jī huì.
    He seized the opportunity of that split second.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéSide by side

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

分fēnminute
秒miǎosecond

“分” means minute and “秒” means second, together referring to a very brief time.

Characters in this word

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

分 pairs 八 (to separate) with 刀 (knife), showing something cut apart with a knife.

Open 分 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
禾禾hécereal; grain
Sound part声符shēngfú
少
少shǎo秒miǎo
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The form 秒 pairs 禾, a cereal or grain plant, with 少 giving the sound.

Open 秒 →

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