Meanings of 即
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About 即
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Podcast: 即
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AI Study Notes for 即
即 (jí) vs 也 (yě) — use 即 (jí) to indicate immediacy or clarification, while 也 (yě) simply means 'also'.
Imagine '即' as a person quickly approaching you, eager to clarify something. The character has a 'mouth' (口) suggesting communication, and '即' sounds like 'ji' which can remind you of 'just' – as in 'just now' or 'immediately'.
即 is often used in both formal and informal contexts, but learners should be cautious about its placement in sentences. Common collocations include 即使 (jíshǐ - even if) and 即可 (jí kě - can immediately). Pay attention to tone as using a wrong tone can change the meaning.
即 is useful for HSK level learners as it appears in conjunction with other words to form phrases like 即使. Focus on its multiple meanings and usage in sentences to enhance your understanding and fluency.
In Chinese culture, the notion of immediacy is often valued in communication, reflecting a preference for directness and clarity. The use of 即 can be seen in traditional Chinese proverbs that emphasize prompt action and decision-making.
Learners often confuse 即 with 及时 (jíshí), which means 'timely'. A common mistake is to say '即时' (jìshí) when they mean '即' (jí); the correct expression should be '即' when referring to immediacy in a context, not '即时'.
Pronunciation of 即
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Etymology of 即
Depicts a kneeling person (卩) approaching a vessel of food (皀). Based on the original meaning "come to eat", which later shifted to "approach", "be near", and "be the same".
A hungry person卩 kneeling over food 皀; compare 既
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 即?
Decomposition of 即
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Write 即
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Practice writing 即 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 即
即 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 13 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Complete the Sentence
同学们____将毕业。
The students are about to graduate.
Common Confusions with 即
Similar pronunciation and shape but different meanings.
Spot the Difference
Which character means "namely"?
Example Sentences for 即 (10)
Cultural Notes for 即
在古代汉语中，'即'被用来强调某种情况或条件的即时性。它常常用于文学作品中，表达及时反应或迅速行动的意义。
In Chinese culture, the notion of immediacy is often valued in communication, reflecting a preference for directness and clarity. The use of 即 can be seen in traditional Chinese proverbs that emphasize prompt action and decision-making.
Word Family of 即
Compound Meaning
What does 唧 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 即
Some synonyms for 即 (jí) include '也就是' (yě jiù shì), which also means 'that is,' and '立刻' (lìkè), meaning 'immediately.' Understanding these synonyms can help you expand your vocabulary and express similar ideas in different contexts.