即 (jí) — namely, that is; immediately, at once (often in the pattern 一A即B 'as soon as A then B'); even if, even though (used in formal concessive clauses)
Definition
A formal adverb. Compared to 立刻 or 当即 (plain 'immediately'), 即 carries a literary, written tone and often appears in set patterns like 一…即…. As 'even if' it's close to 即便 but adverbial rather than a conjunction.
adverb
namelythat isimmediatelyat once (often in the pattern 一A即B 'as soon as A then B')even ifeven though (used in formal concessive clauses)
Examples
- 即，。Chūn jié jí nóng lì xīn nián, shì zhōng guó rén zuì zhòng yào de jié rì.Spring Festival is the Lunar New Year — it's the most important holiday for Chinese people.
- ，即。Zhè piān kè wén hěn nán, dàn tā yí kàn jí dǒng.This text is very difficult, but he understood it as soon as he looked at it.
- ，。jí Shǐ bù chéng gōng, wǒ men yě bù huī xīn.Even if we don't succeed, we won't get discouraged.
Origin
Compound ideograph六书liùshū
会意huìyìTwo or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.
- 皀皀jíancient round-mouthed food vessel
- 卩卩jiéto kneel
即 pairs 皀 (an ancient round-mouthed food vessel) with 卩 (to kneel), showing someone kneeling near the vessel to eat, so it means to come near or approach.
Appears in
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