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在即 (zài jí) — imminent, just around the corner

Definition

Written/formal 'imminent, just around the corner' — used for events (exams, holidays, deadlines), not personal actions. Pairs with subjects like 考试 or 春节; sounds too stiff for casual speech.

verb
imminentjust around the corner

Examples

  • 在即，。
    Kǎo shì zài jí, dà jiā dōu hěn jǐn zhāng.
    The exam is imminent, everyone is very nervous.
  • 在即，。
    Chūn jié zài jí, jiē shàng dào chù shì mǎi nián huò de rén.
    Spring Festival is just around the corner, the streets are full of people buying New Year goods.
  • 在即，。
    Xiàng mù wán chéng zài jí, wǒ men hái yào zài nǔ lì yí xià.
    The project completion is imminent, we still need to work a bit harder.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

An action followed by what it acts on, fused into one word.

在zàibe at
即jínear

在 means being at a point and 即 means nearness, so together it describes something being just near.

Characters in this word

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

The early form of 在 used 才 for its sound; a second sound part 士 was added later, and that 士 became the 土 seen in 在.

Open 在 →

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 →
Appears in
Time (Abstract)

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