Definition
转眼 (zhuǎn yǎn) means 'in the blink of an eye' when referring to time passing quickly (verb used adverbially). Unlike 瞬间 (noun, 'a split second') or 一晃 (verb, 'in a flash'), 转眼 emphasizes the swift passage of time. Its second sense, 'to glance', contrasts with 眨眼 ('to blink') and 瞅 (dialectal 'to look at').
verb
(of time) to pass in an instantin the blink of an eyeto glanceto move one's eyes
Examples
- ，。Yì zhuǎn yǎn, háizi dōu shàng xiǎoxué le.In the blink of an eye, the child is already in elementary school.
- 转眼，。Tā zhuǎn yǎn kàn le yíxià chuāngwài, yòu dītóu kàn shū.He glanced out the window and then lowered his head to read.
- 转眼，。zhuǎn yǎn zhījiān, zhè zuò chéngshì yǐjīng huànrán-yīxīn.In the blink of an eye, this city has taken on a completely new look.
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