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当机立断 (dāng jī-lì duàn) — (idiom) to decide promptly and resolutely; to act without hesitation at a crucial moment

Definition

At a critical moment, decide and act on the spot — emphasizes the decisiveness of the choice itself. 急中生智 stresses thinking of a clever solution under pressure, not the act of deciding.

idiom
to decide promptly and resolutelyto act without hesitation at a crucial moment

Examples

  • ，当机立断。
    Qíng kuàng jǐn jí, bì xū dāng jī-lì duàn.
    The situation is urgent—we must make a prompt decision.
  • 当机立断，。
    Tā dāng jī-lì duàn, zhuā zhù le tóu zī de zuì jiā shí jī.
    He made an immediate decision and seized the best timing for investment.
  • 当机立断，。
    Lǐng dǎo dāng jī-lì duàn dì tiáo zhěng le fāng àn, bì miǎn le gèng dà sǔn shī.
    The leader promptly adjusted the plan, averting greater losses.

Origin

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 →

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

Meaning part形符xíngfú
木木mùtree; wood
Sound part声符shēngfú
几
几jǐ机jī
Same sound today

The left part is 木 (tree; wood), and the right part 几 gives the sound.

Open 机 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

立 pictures a person standing on the ground.

Open 立 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 斷; 断 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 斷 uses 𢇍 (to cut) and 斤 (axe) together.

Open 断 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9

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