一时间
all at once; for a while (a sudden, widespread reaction)
Structure
事件 ， 一时间 ， 很多人／到处 + 动词
What it means
'All at once; suddenly, for a while': after an event, says that many people or places reacted at the same time.
How it is built
Event，一时间，many people or everywhere + verb: 视频发出去以后，一时间，网上全是讨论这件事的帖子 (once the video was posted, the internet was suddenly full of posts).
When to use it
Storytelling and news. Compare 一时 (for the moment: 一时想不起来) and 一度 (at one point, now over).
Watch out
Keep 一时间 for a sudden, widespread reaction after an event, usually set off by commas. For one person's passing state, 一时 is the natural word: ✓我一时想不起来。
Examples
南方谈话以后，一时间，“下海”成了全国最热门的词。
After the Southern Talks, “jumping into the sea” was suddenly the hottest phrase in the country.
视频发出去以后，一时间，网上全是讨论这件事的帖子。
Once the video was posted, the internet was suddenly full of posts about it.
Learn this in Lesson 84 · HSK 6–7: 九十年代 (The 1990s)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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