blink · instant

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 瞬 has 18 strokes and concerns blinking and a very short span of time.
• Basic usage: 一瞬 is read いっしゅん, and 瞬く is read またたく.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• A brief moment and flickering light
  • 電気が一瞬消えた means the light went out for an instant.
  • 星が瞬く means stars twinkle.
  • 明かりが一度だけ瞬いた means the light flickered just once.
  • 瞬く can describe light twinkling or flickering as well as eyes blinking.