Chinese word

马上

Pronunciation

Pinyinmǎ shàng

Meaning

  • adverbright away

Example

我马上回来。wǒ mǎ shàng huí lái

I will come back right away.

Illustration for 马上 (right away)

More examples

你看到就马上告诉我。nǐ kàn dào jiù mǎ shàng gào sù wǒ

Tell me right away when you see it.

Core concept

The next moment already contains the start of the action, leaving no room for waiting.

Common phrases

  • 马上回来mǎ shàng huí lái

    come back right away

  • 马上开始mǎ shàng kāi shǐ

    start right away

  • 马上走mǎ shàng zǒu

    leave right away

Similar words

立刻lì kè: At once, showing that an action should begin without any delay.
立即lì jí: Immediately, especially for carrying out a task or dealing with a matter.
赶快gǎn kuài: Quickly, used to urge someone to take action soon.
赶紧gán jǐn: Quickly and without delay, with an emphasis on prompt action.

Definition in Chinese

作副词，表示事情在极短时间内发生或即将发生，含有立刻行动或应答的意味。zuò fù cí biǎo shì shì qíng zài jí duǎn shí jiān nèi fā shēng huò jí jiāng fā shēng hán yǒu lì kè xíng dòng huò yìng dá de yì wèi

Word origin

马上 (mǎshàng, "on horseback") joins 马 (mǎ, "horse") and 上 (shàng, "on"), using a rider ready to set off as the image for immediate action.

Usage tips

  • After a request, this word can make a reply sound like a promise of prompt action, not just agreement to help at an unspecified time.

Opposites

Word lists with this word