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Expressing 'soon' with 即 (jí)
Sequence & Order
Time Expressions
Structure
Subject + 即 + Verb
Explanation
The adverb 即 (jí) means "soon," "immediately," or "then" and is a classical Chinese word still used in modern formal writing. It often appears as part of compound words like 即将 (about to) or 立即 (immediately), and gives a concise, literary tone to the sentence.
Examples
考试成绩即日公布。
kǎoshì chéngjì jírì gōngbù.
The exam results will be announced today.
会议结束后他立即赶往机场。
huìyì jiéshù hòu tā lìjí gǎnwǎng jīchǎng.
After the meeting ended, he immediately rushed to the airport.
即来之，则安之。
jì lái zhī, zé ān zhī.
Since you're here, you might as well make the best of it.
Similar Grammar
Often Confused With
- Expressing immediacy with 马上 (mǎshàng)
- Expressing waiting with 待 (dài)
- Expressing only then or not until with 才 (cái)
- Expressing 'promptly' with 及时 (jíshí)
- Expressing at any time with 随时 (suíshí)
- Expressing "at an early date" with 早日 (zǎorì)
- Expressing "to allow" or "to be about to" with 准 (zhǔn)
- Expressing immediately with 立刻 (lìkè)
- Expressing 'to make a reservation' with 预约 (yùyuē)
- Expressing 'in time' or 'promptly' with 及时 (jíshí)