Yes, the moment that haiku captures can be associated with the Chinese character 念（nian), but with some nuances.
How 念 Relates to the Haiku Moment:
1. 念 as a Fleeting Thought or Awareness
念 conveys a sense of an instant mental impression, much like a haiku seizes a passing moment.
In Chan (Zen) Buddhism, 念 can mean mindfulness, awareness, or a single thought arising and passing - which aligns with haiku’s attentiveness to transient experiences.
2. 念 as Memory and Reflection
While haiku is about direct experience, 念 can also imply remembrance or nostalgia (as in 懷念，cherishing a memory).
Some haiku do evoke past moments, which may resonate with this aspect of 念.
3. 念 as an Instant of Presence
Haiku often embodies “just this moment” (此時此刻）- fully present, yet already passing.
The Zen phrase 一念不生 （not even a single thought arises) captures the stillness in many haiku.
Alternative Chinese Words for the Haiku Moment:
剎那 A fleeting instant, almost imperceptible.
瞬間 A brief moment, emphasizing speed.
境 A scene, state, or moment of deep perception (used in 意境 for poetic imagery).
機 The precise, dynamic moment of realization (e.g., 禪機 in Chan/Zen).
So, 念 is a strong candidate, but depending on the emphasis, 剎那 or 境 might be closer to the ephemeral yet profound nature of haiku.
Would you like an original haiku translated into Chinese using one of these words?
https://www.fgs.org.tw/fgs_book/fgs_drser.aspx
「念」顯然是，一切麻煩，一切煩惱，的開始，有趣的是，無事之際，念尚且起，意思是說，不自找麻煩，人就會無聊，意思是說，念流不歇，煩惱不斷，起碼勝過無聊，
| 名相：一念 |
| 釋文： <一>時間單位。乃指極短之時間單位，或作瞬間，或指某一事甫成就之片刻。如仁王般若經卷上（大八‧八二六上）：「九十剎那為一念，一念中，一剎那經九百生滅；乃至色，一切法亦如是。」往生論註卷上（大四○‧八三四下）：「百一生滅名一剎那，六十剎那名為一念。」或謂「二十念名為一瞬，二十瞬名為一彈指。」皆泛指極短促之時間。又發起一個意念之間，稱為一念頃或一發意頃。〔摩訶僧祇律卷十七、大智度論卷三十八、華嚴經探玄記卷十八〕 <二>指一次之念。梵語 eka-citta。念為思念之意，一般有「心念」、「觀念」（觀想法性之理、佛之相好、時節因緣與眾生之素質能力）、「稱念」等名詞。淨土宗將「念」解為「稱念」，故以一念配合一聲佛號，稱名一句即謂一念。無量壽經卷下（大一二‧二七九上）：「其有得聞彼佛名號，歡喜踴躍，乃至一念，當知此人為得大利，則是具足無上功德。」〔無量壽經鈔卷六〕 <三>指三千性相所圓具之一念心。此乃天台宗所立。謂心具足一切，即稱一念。〔摩訶止觀卷五上〕（參閱「一念三千」49） <四>一念相應。依據與剎那一念相應之智慧，而頓時開悟，稱為一念相應。大乘起信論等謂，本覺與始覺相應，而理智冥合之無念之念，即是一念。〔大般若經卷三九三〕 <五>與其他語句連用者有「一念信解」。乃一次聽聞佛法即告開悟之謂；念一聲阿彌陀佛，稱為「行之一念」；對阿彌陀佛生起信心之剎那，稱為「信之一念」；於其時，決定往生淨土之因，故稱「一念業成」；不拘一遍或十遍地稱念阿彌陀佛，以成往生淨土之因，稱為「一念十念」。此外，有關一念稱名念佛之成語甚多，如超乎思想之境界，稱為「一念不生」，歸依佛法而生信服之心，稱為「一念隨喜」。〔法華經分別功德品〕p48 |
