also: いっとき
noun
a short time; a while; a moment
Refers to a brief, pleasant, or meaningful interval of time. Often used in expressions like ひとときを過ごす (spend a moment) or ひとときの休息 (a moment's rest).
公園でひとときを過ごした。
I spent a little while in the park.
読
Reading is a blissful moment for me.
noun, adverb
one time (in the past); a period; former times
Used to refer to a specific period or occasion in the past, often with a nostalgic or reflective tone. Can function adverbially as 'once' or 'for a time'.
ひとときはこの町も賑わっていた。
At one time, this town was bustling too.
彼はひととき東京に住んでいた。
He lived in Tokyo for a period.
noun
two-hour period
Archaic term for a unit of time equivalent to two hours, based on the traditional Japanese temporal system. Not used in modern Japanese outside historical contexts.
江戸時代には、ひとときは約二時間を指した。
In the Edo period, ひととき referred to about two hours.