Question 1

What are the structural components of 即 and how do they relate to its meaning?

Accepted Answer

即 is composed of the radical 卩 (seal or kneeling person) on the left and 艮 on the right, which originally represented a food vessel. Together they depict a person kneeling to eat, symbolizing immediate action or approaching something, which led to meanings like 'immediately' and 'namely'.

Question 2

What is a creative mnemonic to remember the character 即?

Accepted Answer

Picture a person kneeling down (卩) to grab a bowl of rice (艮) — they don't wait, they eat right now. This visual of 'kneel and eat immediately' helps you connect the shape to the meaning 'immediate' or 'promptly'.

Question 3

Are there any writing tips or common mistakes when writing 即?

Accepted Answer

The left part 卩 has three strokes: a horizontal fold, a vertical hook, and a small horizontal. The right part 艮 must not be confused with 巳 or 已 — it has a longer vertical hook and two inner strokes. Ensure the left side is narrower than the right, and the overall character is balanced.

Question 4

How can I distinguish 即 from similar characters like 卮 and 卯?

Accepted Answer

即 has a left radical 卩 (like a kneeling person) and a right side 艮 with a vertical hook. 卮 (zhi) has a different right side (巳) and means a wine vessel. 卯 (mao) is symmetrical with an open top and is used as an Earthly Branch. Visually, 即 is closed on the right, while 卯 is open.

Question 5

When and how is 即 used in modern Chinese?

Accepted Answer

即 is common in formal or written language, meaning 'namely' or 'that is' when defining terms (e.g., 北京即中国的首都). It also appears in compound words like 立即 (immediately) and 即使 (even if). Using 即 adds a concise, authoritative tone, often seen in announcements or explanations.

Question 6

What common words use 即?

Accepted Answer

Common words containing 即 include: 立即 (lì jí) — Immediately; promptly; 即使 (jí shǐ) — even if; even though; 即将 (jí jiāng) — soon; about to; on the verge of.

Character	即
Pinyin	jí (ji)
Meaning	namely; that is; immediate; even if
Strokes	7
Radical	卩
HSK Level	4
Difficulty	3.2/5

Character	Pinyin	Strokes	Radical
即 (current)	jí	7	卩
卮	zhī	5	卩
卯	mǎo	5	卩
印	yìn	5	卩

How to Write 即 (jí) — Meaning “namely; that is; immediate; even if”

Practice Writing 即 (jí)

How to Write 即

What Does jí (即) Mean in Chinese?

Character Data

Origin of 即

Common Words with 即

Example Sentences

Similar Characters Comparison

Practice Writing 即 (jí)

Frequently Asked Questions about 即

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