立即

• Pinyin: lì jí
• Hanzi breakdown: 立 = pictograph of a person standing on the ground — to stand, establish; 即 = 皀 (food vessel) + 卩 (kneeling person) — approaching food, hence immediately

Meaning

Immediately; at once; right away. A formal adverb indicating that an action happens without any delay.

More formal than 马上 or 立刻. Frequently appears in written language, official announcements, news reports, and instructions. Common in imperative contexts where urgency is emphasised. Often placed before the verb: 立即执行 (carry out immediately), 立即停止 (stop at once).

Examples

1. 收到消息后，他立即赶到了医院。 After receiving the message, he rushed to the hospital immediately.
2. 发现问题就应该立即解决，不要拖延。 When you find a problem, you should solve it at once — don't delay.
3. 老师说完以后，学生们立即安静下来了。 After the teacher finished speaking, the students immediately went quiet.

Usage Guide

Context: official, news, instructions, urgent situations

Tone: urgent

Do Say

• 请立即离开大楼。(Please leave the building immediately.)
• 公司决定立即停止这个项目。(The company decided to stop this project at once.)

Don't Say

• 我立即想吃冰淇淋 (Don't use 立即 for casual desires — it's too formal; say 我现在就想吃冰淇淋)

Origin & History

Composed of 立 (to stand, to establish — implying readiness) and 即 (then, at that moment). Together they convey the sense of standing ready at this very moment — doing something without hesitation.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal