Chinese word

及时

Pronunciation

Pinyinjí shí

Meaning

  • adverbpromptly

Example

请及时回复邮件。qǐng jí shí huí fù yóu jiàn

Please reply to the email promptly.

Illustration for 及时 (promptly)

More examples

他及时发现了问题。tā jí shí fā xiàn le wèn tí

He promptly discovered the problem.

Core concept

A response meets the moment when it can still prevent a problem.

Common phrases

  • 及时回复jí shí huí fù

    reply promptly

  • 及时完成jí shí wán chéng

    complete promptly

  • 及时通知jí shí tōng zhī

    notify promptly

Similar words

马上mǎ shàng: Doing something right away or starting it at once.
赶快gǎn kuài: Hurrying to finish or handle something as soon as possible.
赶紧gán jǐn: Hastening to act quickly in an urgent situation.

Definition in Chinese

表示在恰当或必要的时间上采取行动或作出反应，避免延误或产生后果。biǎo shì zài qià dàng huò bì yào de shí jiān shàng cái qǔ xíng dòng huò zuò chū fǎn yìng bì miǎn yán wù huò chǎn shēng hòu guǒ

Word origin

The compound 及 (jí, "reach") + 时 (shí, "time") forms the image of reaching the needed time, which leads to the meaning of acting without harmful delay.

Usage tips

  • English often puts a timing word after the action, but this Chinese adverb normally comes before the action it describes.

Opposites

Related words

  • 及时性jí shí xìngtimelinessnoun

Word lists with this word