即

jí

⑤ + 卩

HSK 3.0Level 7

Definitions

jí (adverb) immediately; at once; promptly

jí (particle) namely; that is; i.e.

jí (particle) even if

jí (verb) to approach; to draw near

jí (verb) to assume (office; position)

Etymology

Depicts a kneeling person (卩) eating from a container of food (皀). Based on the original meaning "eat". The meaning later shifted to "come near", "approach", and "quickly".

About

The character 即 combines 皀 (a container of food) and 卩 (a kneeling person). The image is of a person kneeling to eat from the vessel, so its original meaning was "to eat". This idea of close proximity led to senses of "come near" and "approach", and then to adverbial uses like "immediately" or "right away". It can also function as a conjunction meaning "even if" or "that is".

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Warring States (~250 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我立即回答。

Wǒ lìjí huídá.

I answered immediately.

即使下雨我们也去。

Jíshǐ xià yǔ wǒmen yě qù.

We will go even if it rains.

比赛即将开始。

Bǐsài jíjiāng kāishǐ.

The competition is about to begin.

这即是我最后的决定。

Zhè jí shì wǒ zuìhòu de juédìng.

This is my final decision.

成功即意味着新的责任。

Chénggōng jí yìwèizhe xīn de zérèn.

Success immediately implies new responsibilities.

公司即将推出即用型产品。

Gōngsī jíjiāng tuīchū jí yòng xíng chǎnpǐn.

The company is about to launch a ready-to-use product.

他当即作出了即时的反应。

Tā dāngjí zuòchūle jíshí de fǎnyìng.

He made an immediate response right away.

对于这个复杂问题，非此即彼的判断即显草率。

Duìyú zhège fùzá wèntí, fēicǐjíbǐ de pànduàn jí xiǎn cǎoshuài.

Regarding this complex issue, an either-or judgment appears rash immediately.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: ⑤

Component: 卩

Example Words