卽 (jí) - To approach & to come near

卽Tone 2

jí ｜ 9 strokes ｜ radical:

慧佳

卽 · jí

To approach;

to come near;

immediately;

at once;

promptly;

then;

namely;

even if;

even though;

to assume office;

to take up a post.

To approachto come nearimmediately

Usage highlights

ImmediatelyEven ifThat isNamelyAssume officePromptly

Synonyms

  • 就— Then; at once; to approach
  • 立— Immediately; to stand
  • 马上— Immediately; at once

Antonyms

  • 离— To leave; to depart
  • 远— Far; distant
  • 迟— Late; delayed

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He will arrive immediately (即刻到达).
  • Even if it rains, we will still go (即使下雨也要去).
  • That is to say (亦即), the plan needs adjustment.
  • He assumed the position of manager (即任经理).

Collocations

  • Immediately(即刻)
  • Even if(即使)
  • That is(即是)
  • Namely(即)
  • Assume office(即位)
  • Promptly(立即)

Idioms

  • Not far off is success(成功在即)
  • Turn grief into strength(化悲痛为力量)
  • Opportunity knocks but once(机不可失，时不再来)
  • Act promptly without delay(不即不离)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In classical Chinese, 即 often functions as a logical connector meaning 'then', 'namely', or 'even if', crucial for philosophical and historical texts.
  • The character's structure, combining 皀 (food vessel) and 卩 (kneeling figure), may suggest someone approaching food, hence the core meaning 'to approach'.
  • Used in formal contexts to denote immediacy or assumption of roles, such as in 即位 (ascend the throne).

FAQ