TongTong
Sign in

当即 (dāng jí) — at once; immediately; on the spot

Definition

当即 is a formal adverb for action taken immediately on the spot, often in reaction to a decision or event. More written than 立刻 or 连忙; pairs with 做出/回答/表示 for snap decisions.

adverb
at onceimmediatelyon the spot

Examples

  • 当即。
    Tā dāng jí zhàn le qǐ lái.
    He stood up immediately.
  • 当即。
    Lǎo bǎn dāng jí zuò chū le jué dìng.
    The boss made a decision on the spot.
  • ，当即。
    Kàn dào wēi xiǎn, tā dāng jí tíng xià le chē.
    Seeing the danger, he stopped the car immediately.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

当dāngat that moment
即jíimmediately

当 points to the moment and 即 means immediately, so together they mean at once or on the spot.

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.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 當; 当 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
田田tiánfield
Sound part声符shēngfú
尚
尚shàng當dāng
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 當 combines 田 (field) with 尚; the evidence describes fields facing each other.

Open 当 →

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
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.