即将

• Pinyin: jí jiāng
• Hanzi breakdown: 即 = 卩 (kneeling person) + 皀 (food vessel) — someone approaching food, hence 'immediately'; 将 = 爿 (half of wood) + 寸 (inch) — about to do

Meaning

About to; on the verge of; soon to. Indicates that something will happen very soon.

More formal than 快要 or 就要. Commonly used in news, announcements, and written language. Placed before the verb. Common collocations include 即将到来 (about to arrive), 即将开始 (about to begin), and 即将毕业 (about to graduate).

Examples

1. 火车即将到站，请大家提前准备好行李。 The train is about to arrive at the station — please prepare your luggage in advance.
2. 她即将大学毕业，正在找工作。 She is about to graduate from university and is currently looking for a job.
3. 新的一年即将到来，你有什么计划？ The new year is about to arrive — what are your plans?

Usage Guide

Context: announcements, news, written language

Tone: anticipatory

Do Say

• 比赛即将开始，请选手入场。(The competition is about to begin — please have the contestants enter.)
• 暑假即将结束，同学们该收心了。(Summer vacation is about to end — students should refocus.)

Don't Say

• 我即将吃饭 (Too formal for everyday actions — use 快要吃饭了 or 马上吃饭 for casual situations)

Origin & History

即 (immediately, at once) + 将 (will, about to) — right at the moment of being about to happen.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal