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即时 (jí shí) — immediately, instantly

Definition

即时 (jíshí) means 'immediate / instant' and emphasizes speed right at this moment, often in tech or instruction contexts (e.g. 即时翻译). 立即 is a stronger written-form synonym; 当即 means 'on the spot, right then'.

adverb
immediatelyinstantly
Easily confused

Examples

  • 即时。
    Qǐng jí shí què rèn nín de shēn fèn xìn xī.
    Please confirm your identity information immediately.
  • 即时。
    Zhè kuǎn ruǎn jiàn néng jí shí fān yì duō zhǒng yǔ yán.
    This software can translate multiple languages instantly.
  • 即时。
    Shōu dào tōng zhī hòu qǐng jí shí chū fā.
    Please depart immediately after receiving the notice.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

即jíimmediately
时shítime

“即” gives immediately, and “时” gives time, together meaning instantly.

Characters in this word

Two 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.

Open 即 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 時; 时 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
日日rìsun; day
Sound part声符shēngfú
之
之zhī時shí
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 時 pairs 日 (sun/day) with 之 as the part that gives the sound; the simplified 时 is not the form described.

Open 时 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9Time (Abstract)

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