zhuǎn转turnshùn瞬instantjí即immediatelyshì逝gone
Gone in the blink of an eye — fleeting.
Literal meaning
turn (转) — instant (瞬) — immediately (即) — gone (逝)
Origin
A modern compression of classical-Chinese expressions about how quickly an instant (瞬) can pass. 转瞬 (turn-instant) emphasises the brevity; 即逝 (immediately gone) emphasises the disappearance. Used in poetry, journalism, and reflective writing.
Examples
Měi美hǎo好de的shí时guāng光zhuǎn转shùn瞬jí即shì逝。
Good times slip away in an instant.
Jī机huì会zhuǎn转shùn瞬jí即shì逝，yào要zhuā抓zhù住。
Opportunities pass in a flash — you have to grab them.
Usage & nuances
Slightly literary. Works for moments, opportunities, beauty — anything inherently brief.
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