转瞬即逝 (zhuǎn shùn jí shì) — fleeting, ephemeral, gone in a flash

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 轉; 转 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 轉 combines 車, a carriage, with 專 as a sound part; the simplified 转 is a later shorthand.

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

瞬 has 目, an eye, next to 舜, which provides the pronunciation.

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

即 pairs 皀 (an ancient round-mouthed food vessel) with 卩 (to kneel), showing someone kneeling near the vessel to eat, so it means to come near or approach.

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

逝 combines 辵, a walking part, with 折, which gives the sound.