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 — Zhào Gòu 赵构
Southern Song emperor and prolific patron of running-script calligraphy.
Song calligrapher (1107–1187), master of regular script/running script — known for 《草书洛神赋》. Song 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.
Own this character
Purchase delivers the original SVG of this glyph, brushed by Zhào Gòu 赵构, ready to place on skin, paper, or screen.