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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing immediacy with 马上 (mǎshàng)

    Degree & Intensity
    Time Expressions

    Structure

    Subject + 马上 + 就 + Verb

    Explanation

    马上 (mǎshàng) means 'immediately,' 'right away,' or 'at once.' It is an adverb placed before the verb to indicate that something happens without delay. For example, 她马上就知道了 means 'she knew right away.'

    Examples

    • 你快准备一下，我们马上出发。

      Nǐ kuài zhǔnbèi yīxià, wǒmen mǎshàng chūfā.

      Hurry up and get ready, we're leaving right away.

    • 别着急，他马上就到了。

      Bié zhāojí, tā mǎshàng jiù dào le.

      Don't worry, he'll be here any moment.

    • 她看了一眼就马上明白了。

      Tā kàn le yī yǎn jiù mǎshàng míngbai le.

      She understood immediately after just one glance.

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    Expressing immediacy with 马上 (mǎshàng) | Chinese Grammar