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立即 (lì jí) — immediately

Definition

Formal 'immediately,' common in writing, announcements, and commands. More formal than 马上, and more deliberate than 立刻.

adverb
immediately

Examples

  • 立即。
    Qǐng tā lì jí guò lái.
    Ask him to come over immediately.
  • ，立即。
    Kàn dào xìn hào, bù duì lì jí xíng dòng.
    Upon seeing the signal, the troops acted immediately.
  • ，立即。
    Shōu dào yóu jiàn hòu, nǐ lì jí gěi wǒ huí fù.
    Reply to me immediately after receiving the email.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

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

立lìimmediately
即jíimmediately

立 and 即 both convey immediacy, so together they mean immediately.

Characters in this word

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.

  • 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
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