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当即 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
当即dāngjíat onceHSK 7, unknown, 13 strokes, rank #34549, Very Hard
当即dāngjíon the spotHSK 7, unknown, 13 strokes, rank #34549, Very Hard
dāngjí(dang1ji2)dang ji T1
  1. 1at once
  2. 2on the spot
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March 24, 2026

当即(當即)dāngjí(dang1ji2)

当即 (dāngjí) means 'at once' or 'on the spot.' It is often used to indicate that something happens immediately without delay, typically in decision-making or reactions to situations. This term conveys a sense of urgency and promptness.

Strokes13Frequency#34549DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, decisiveness and the ability to respond quickly are often valued in both personal and professional settings, reflecting a proactive attitude. Using 当即 can convey reliability and efficiency.

Memory tip

Imagine a clock striking the hour and you must act 'at once.' The character 当 (dāng) looks like a person standing straight, ready to respond immediately, while 即 (jí) resembles a quick leap, emphasizing the speed of action.

Meanings of 当即

dāngjí(dang1ji2)
1at once
2on the spot
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 当即

当即Simplified
當即Traditional
13Strokes
—Radical
副词fùcíadverb (adv.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2

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Podcast: 当即

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AI study notes for 当即

Quick Contrast

即刻 (jíkè) vs 当即 (dāngjí): use 当即 when emphasizing immediate action in response to a situation, whereas 即刻 is more neutral and can refer to any immediate time.

Usage Notes

When using 当即, be careful not to confuse it with similar terms like 立即 (lìjí), which also means 'immediately' but can sound a bit more formal. It’s commonly used in both spoken and written contexts, but it's more informal than 立即. Ensure to use it in contexts requiring prompt action.

HSK Study Tips

While 当即 is not classified under a specific HSK level, it is useful for learners at higher levels (HSK 4 and above) as they encounter more complex conversation scenarios. Focus on using it in real-life situations to express immediate actions.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 当即 with similar terms like 立刻 (lìkè) or 立即 (lìjí), leading to incorrect usage in formal contexts. For example, saying '我当即去' (I immediately go) instead of '我立刻去' (I will go immediately) in a formal setting is incorrect.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 当即

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Component characters

当dāngto act as
HSK 46 strokes⺌
View full entry
即jínamely
HSK 77 strokes卩
View full entry

How to say at once in Chinese

“at once” in Chinese is当即dāngjí

当即 (dāngjí) means 'at once' or 'on the spot.' It is often used to indicate that something happens immediately without delay, typically in decision-making or reactions to situations. This term conveys a sense of urgency and promptness.

When to use 当即

When using 当即, be careful not to confuse it with similar terms like 立即 (lìjí), which also means 'immediately' but can sound a bit more formal. It’s commonly used in both spoken and written contexts, but it's more informal than 立即. Ensure to use it in contexts requiring prompt action.

当即 or something close to it

即刻 (jíkè) vs 当即 (dāngjí): use 当即 when emphasizing immediate action in response to a situation, whereas 即刻 is more neutral and can refer to any immediate time.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 当即 with similar terms like 立刻 (lìkè) or 立即 (lìjí), leading to incorrect usage in formal contexts. For example, saying '我当即去' (I immediately go) instead of '我立刻去' (I will go immediately) in a formal setting is incorrect.

Write 当即

当
即

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Frequently asked questions about 当即

Yes, but it is more commonly used in informal contexts. In formal writing, consider using 立即 instead.

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