Chinese Character: 秒
1. Character Basics
Radical: \u0022禾\u0022 (hé, \u0022grain\u0022)
Stroke Count: 9 strokes
Stroke Order:
2. Pronunciation
Pinyin: miǎo (Third tone)
3. Meaning
Second (unit of time); moment; instant; fraction of a second
4. Common Words
- \u0022秒钟\u0022 (miǎo zhōng) - \u0022Second (as a unit of time)\u0022
- \u0022秒针\u0022 (miǎo zhēn) - \u0022Second hand (of a clock)\u0022
- \u0022秒杀\u0022 (miǎo shā) - \u0022Flash sale; to kill instantly\u0022
- \u0022毫秒\u0022 (háo miǎo) - \u0022Millisecond\u0022
- \u0022分秒必争\u0022 (fēn miǎo bì zhēng) - \u0022Every minute and second counts\u0022
- \u0022争分夺秒\u0022 (zhēng fēn duó miǎo) - \u0022To race against time\u0022
- \u0022秒杀价\u0022 (miǎo shā jià) - \u0022Flash sale price\u0022
- \u0022读秒\u0022 (dú miǎo) - \u0022Countdown (in sports)\u0022
5. Grammar & Usage
\u0022秒\u0022 is primarily used as a noun referring to the unit of time. It is commonly used in the following structures: as a measure word after numbers (e.g., \u0022三秒\u0022 - three seconds), in time expressions (e.g., \u0022每秒\u0022 - per second), and in compound words related to time measurement. In modern slang, it has also developed the meaning of \u0022to quickly sell out\u0022 or \u0022to defeat instantly\u0022 (e.g., \u0022秒杀\u0022). It is rarely used as a verb on its own but often appears in verb-object or verb-complement structures.
6. Cultural Background
In Chinese culture, the concept of \u0022秒\u0022 reflects the traditional value placed on time and efficiency. The idioms \u0022分秒必争\u0022 (Every minute and second counts) and \u0022争分夺秒\u0022 (To race against time) emphasize the importance of cherishing every moment. In modern times, with the development of technology and digital culture, \u0022秒杀\u0022 has become a popular term in e-commerce, representing the rapid pace of online shopping. Additionally, in traditional Chinese timekeeping, precise measurement of time has always been important for agriculture, astronomy, and daily life.
7. Example Sentence
时间宝贵，我们要分秒必争。
Time is precious, we must cherish every minute and second.
8. Memory Tips
To remember \u0022秒\u0022, note that it consists of the radical \u0022禾\u0022 (grain) on the left and \u0022少\u0022 (few) on the right. Imagine a small amount or a few grains of sand in an hourglass representing a short unit of time - the second. This visual association can help you remember that \u0022秒\u0022 refers to a brief moment. Also, practice writing the character, focusing on the correct stroke order to reinforce memory.