HSK 3, v, 9 strokes, radical 心, rank #1506, Medium
急
jí
pressing
HSK 3, v, 9 strokes, radical 心, rank #1506, Medium
急
jí
rapid
HSK 3, v, 9 strokes, radical 心, rank #1506, Medium
急
jí
hurried
HSK 3, v, 9 strokes, radical 心, rank #1506, Medium
急
jí
worried
HSK 3, v, 9 strokes, radical 心, rank #1506, Medium
急
jí
to make (sb) anxious
HSK 3, v, 9 strokes, radical 心, rank #1506, Medium
急
jí
anxious, worried; hasty, quick; pressing, urgent
HSK 3, v, 9 strokes, radical 心, rank #1506, Medium
jí(ji2) T2
1urgent
2pressing
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
急jí(ji2)
The character 急 (jí) conveys a sense of urgency or pressing need. It can describe both physical speed and emotional anxiety, making it versatile in various contexts such as expressing haste in action or concern over a situation.
Strokes9Radical心Frequency#1506DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, being '急' reflects not only personal stress but also a collective urgency, especially in work or academic settings. There is a cultural emphasis on efficiency, making this character quite relevant in daily life.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person rushing to catch a bus, looking anxious and worried. The character 急 resembles a person in a hurry, with the top part representing the head and arms moving quickly, while the bottom part suggests a sense of urgency.
Meanings of 急
jí(ji2)
1urgent
2pressing
Exercise 1 of 3
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 急
急Simplified
9Strokes
心Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#1506Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L3ElementaryTOCFLL2HSKKL1CEFRA1
Podcast: 急
Podcast: 急
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AI Study Notes for 急
Quick Contrast
急 (jí) vs 匆忙 (cōngmáng) — use 急 for emotional urgency or pressing need, while 匆忙 emphasizes hurriedness in action.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person rushing to catch a bus, looking anxious and worried. The character 急 resembles a person in a hurry, with the top part representing the head and arms moving quickly, while the bottom part suggests a sense of urgency.
Usage Notes
Be cautious not to confuse 急 (jí) with 急于 (jíyú), which means 'eager to' and is more informal. The word is commonly used in both formal and informal settings, particularly in discussions about time-sensitive matters or emotional states.
HSK Study Tips
急 is relevant for HSK Level 3 learners as it connects with other words related to emotions and urgency, such as 忙 (máng, busy) and 快 (kuài, fast). Focus on using it in sentences that express urgency or anxiety to reinforce its meaning.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, being '急' reflects not only personal stress but also a collective urgency, especially in work or academic settings. There is a cultural emphasis on efficiency, making this character quite relevant in daily life.
Common Mistakes
Learners often misuse 急 by saying '急很' instead of '很急' when expressing urgency. Correct usage would be '我很急' (Wǒ hěn jí).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 急
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Grammar Patterns of 急
急 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 7 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The patterns below break down its most common sentence frames, with example sentences and practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) for each one.
I know that you'refloundering around, trying to grasp at any straw.
4
西班牙的当务之急是签署《欧洲经济和货币联盟条约》。
xī bān yá de dāng wù zhī jí shì qiān shǔ《 《 ōu zhōu jīng jì hé huò bì lián méng tiáo》。
Spain's top priority is the signing of an EMU treaty.
5
他们走近时，小男孩急忙跑开藏了起来。
tā mén zǒu jìn shí， ， xiǎo nán hái jí máng pǎo kāi cáng le qǐ。
At their approach the little boy scurried away and hid.
6
这条河水流湍急，变幻莫测。
zhè tiáo hé shuǐ liú tuān jí， ， biàn huàn mò。
The current of the river is fast flowing and treacherous.
7
这架喷气式飞机突然着火，急速坠地。
zhè jià pēn qì shì fēi jī tū rán zháo huǒ， ， jí sù zhuì。
The jet burst into flames and plummeted to the ground.
8
一贯性急冲动的他又宣布要退学了。
yī guàn xìng jí chōng dòng de tā yòu xuān bù yào tuì xué le。
With characteristic impetuosity, he announced he was leaving school.
9
他驾车急速通过大门。
tā jià chē jí sù tōng guò dà mén。
He drove his car through the gates at full pelt.
10
我急于把他带到这儿，远离家人和朋友。
wǒ jí yú bǎ tā dài dào zhè ér， ， yuǎn lí jiā rén hé péng。
I was anxious to get him here, away from family and friends.
Cultural Notes for 急
💡Did you know?
In Chinese culture, being '急' (urgent) can imply a strong sense of responsibility. People often prioritize urgent matters, especially in business, which reflects their commitment and diligence.
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, being '急' reflects not only personal stress but also a collective urgency, especially in work or academic settings. There is a cultural emphasis on efficiency, making this character quite relevant in daily life.
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
In Western cultures, urgency often relates to time management, while in Chinese culture, it may also reflect social relationships and responsibilities, highlighting the interconnectedness of urgency and obligation.
Word Family of 急
Compounds3
隐yin3secret
稳wen3settled
喼jie2used in transliterations
Words Containing This Character20
急jíurgent
紧急jǐnjíurgent緊急
着急zháojíto worry著急
应急yìngjíto meet a contingency應急
急性jíxìngacute
急救jíjiùfirst aid
急需jíxūurgent need
急诊室emergency room急診室
急忙jímánghastily
急于jíyúeager to急於
急剧jíjùrapid急劇
急诊jízhěnemergency call急診
焦急jiāojíanxiety
急速hurried
危急wēijícritical
急切jíqièeager
当务之急dāngwùzhījítop priority job當務之急
急躁jízàoirritable
心急anxious
急促urgent
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 隐 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 急
Yes, 急 can describe feelings of anxiety or worry. For instance, saying '我很急' (wǒ hěn jí) indicates that someone is feeling anxious or unsettled about a situation.
Some synonyms for 急 include 紧 (jǐn), meaning tight, and 急迫 (jípò), meaning pressing. Both words convey a sense of urgency or immediacy in different contexts.
You can use 急 in sentences to express urgency or anxiety. For example, '我很急' (wǒ hěn jí) means 'I am very anxious.' Another example is '我急着去学校' (wǒ jí zhe qù xuéxiào), meaning 'I am in a hurry to go to school.'
急 (jí) means urgent, pressing, or hurried. It can also refer to feeling anxious or worried about something. In various contexts, it can describe both physical speed and emotional states.
You can say '我很急' (Wǒ hěn jí) which means 'I am very anxious' or 'I am in a hurry.'
Yes, 急 is appropriate in both formal and informal contexts, especially when discussing urgent matters.
急 emphasizes urgency or anxiety, while 快 refers specifically to speed. You can be 快 without being 急.
