attimo

Attimo is an Italian noun meaning moment or instant, referring to a very brief interval of time. It is a common word in everyday language and appears in phrases such as in un attimo, meaning “in a moment.” The term emphasizes immediacy and brevity more than longer spans of time.

In usage, attimo often conveys the notion of a fleeting or ephemeral instant. It can be used literally to mark a short duration, or figuratively to describe a sudden perception, realization, or opportunity that passes quickly. The contrast with tempo, which denotes time more generally or in longer durations, highlights attimo’s focus on brevity and immediacy.

Culturally, attimo is embedded in Italian thought and expression as a symbol of transience. The phrase l’attimo fuggente, meaning “the fleeing/fleeting moment,” has become widely recognized in Italian culture and references the idea of a moment that passes quickly and should be seized.

In philosophy and aesthetics, attimo is sometimes used to discuss the immediacy of perception or the present experience, underscoring how a single instant can carry significance beyond its measurable duration.

See also: moment, tempo (time), l’attimo fuggente.