即
namely; that is; i.e.; prompt; at once; at present; even if; prompted (by the occasion); to approach; to come into contact; to assume (office); to draw near
Closest English meanings
immediately·namely·approach·even if
The Calligrapher — Yà Qī 亚栖
Tang monk calligrapher of cursive script, heir to Zhang Xu's manner.
Tang calligrapher (), master of cursive script — known for 禅僧书家. Tang dynasty
Cultural Story
The graph 即 shows a man bending toward a bowl of food — to approach, to take at once. From that came 即位, the moment a prince steps to the throne; 立即 the order that brooks no wait. 即使 concedes the worst case, 即将 the train already at the platform. The word is the step taken now.
Common words & phrases
- 立即 immediately · at once
- 即使 even if · even though
- 即将 soon · about to
- 即刻 at once · instantly
- 即日 this day · soon
- 即位 ascend throne
Read the story behind the character
A message says 立即; 即使 is the clause a contract hides. 即将 is the update a flight app pushes, 即刻 the reply a friend owes, 即日 the date a rule takes hold. The word runs from the throne to the notification — the small, certain now in every instruction.
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