Definitions
(adverb)
immediately; at once; promptly
(particle)
namely; that is; i.e.
(particle)
even if
(verb)
to approach; to draw near
(verb)
to assume (office; position)
About
The character "即" finds its origin in an early composite graph that unites a representation of a food vessel with a figure kneeling, depicting the concrete action of approaching a meal and establishing its core meaning of drawing near. From this foundational concept of physical proximity, its usage gradually extended into more abstract domains, acquiring adverbial senses such as "immediately" to denote temporal closeness and "namely" to indicate referential identity, alongside a conjunctive function meaning "even if". Structurally, the character has maintained the same configuration of its components over time, with the traditional form remaining unchanged in modern orthography.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
我立即回答。
即使下雨我们也去。
比赛即将开始。
这即是我最后的决定。
成功即意味着新的责任。
公司即将推出即用型产品。
他当即作出了即时的反应。
对于这个复杂问题，非此即彼的判断即显草率。