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March 24, 2026
及时(及時)jíshí(ji2shi2)
及时 (jí shí) means 'in time' or 'promptly' and is used to describe actions taken without delay. It often conveys a sense of urgency and the importance of acting at the right moment, especially in situations requiring quick responses.
Frequency#3427DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, being '及时' is often associated with respect and responsibility, particularly in business and social interactions. Prompt communication and actions can strengthen relationships and demonstrate professionalism.
Memory Tip
Imagine a clock ticking loudly, reminding you to act '及时' (promptly) before time runs out. The character '时' (shí) resembles a clock face, representing time, while '及' (jí) suggests reaching or arriving, like catching the last minute of a bus.
Meanings of 及时
jíshí(ji2shi2)
1in time
2promptly
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 及时
及时Simplified
及時Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#3427Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L4HSK 3.0L4ElementaryTOCFLL3HSKKL2CEFRA2
Podcast: 及时
Podcast: 及时
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AI Study Notes for 及时
Quick Contrast
及时 (jí shí) vs 迅速 (xùn sù) — pick 及时 when emphasizing the importance of timing, whereas 迅速 focuses more on speed.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a clock ticking loudly, reminding you to act '及时' (promptly) before time runs out. The character '时' (shí) resembles a clock face, representing time, while '及' (jí) suggests reaching or arriving, like catching the last minute of a bus.
Usage Notes
Be careful to use '及时' in contexts where promptness is crucial, such as in business or when discussing emergency situations. Avoid using it informally, as it may come off as overly dramatic. Common collocations include '及时处理' (handle promptly) or '及时反馈' (provide timely feedback).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 4 word, '及时' connects to other terms related to time and urgency, such as '时间' (time) and '及时性' (timeliness). Students should focus on understanding its usage in both written and spoken contexts, especially in formal settings.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, being '及时' is often associated with respect and responsibility, particularly in business and social interactions. Prompt communication and actions can strengthen relationships and demonstrate professionalism.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse '及时' with '快速' (kuài sù), which means 'fast.' A common mistake is saying '我会快速处理' (I will handle it quickly) when '及时' would be more appropriate, such as '我会及时处理.'
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 及时
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Grammar Patterns of 及时
及时 functions as a conjunction — it connects clauses or phrases. Many Chinese conjunctions come in pairs (虽然…但是…, 因为…所以…); use them at the front of the clauses they link. It carries 4 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Jack believed in finding happiness wherever possible.
6
他刚要发火，不过又及时克制住了。
tā gāng yào fā huǒ， ， bù guò yòu jí shí kè zhì zhù。
He was about to lose his temper but checked himself in time.
7
这些刚发掘出来的物品需要及时保护。
zhè xiē gāng fā jué chū lái de wù pǐn xū yào jí shí bǎo hù。
In time these new excavations will require conservation.
8
他期望小腿后部的伤能够及时复元.
tā qī wàng xiǎo tuǐ hòu bù de shāng néng gòu jí shí fù yuán.
He expects to have recovered from his calf injury in time.
9
为了及时赶上火车, 他在5分钟内就把两碗饭狼吞虎咽地吃光了.
wéi le jí shí gǎn shàng huǒ chē, , tā5 zài 5 fēn zhōng nèi jiù bǎ liǎng wǎn fàn láng tūn hǔ yān dì chī.
In order to catch the train in time, he polished off two bowls of rice in 5 minutes.
10
我们不担心，因为他们交租金总是非常及时。
wǒ mén bù dān xīn， ， yīn wéi tā mén jiāo zū jīn zǒng shì fēi cháng jí。
We didn't worry because they were always so prompt with their rental payment.
Cultural Notes for 及时
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, being '及时' is often associated with respect and responsibility, particularly in business and social interactions. Prompt communication and actions can strengthen relationships and demonstrate professionalism.
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
In Western cultures, while promptness is valued, the emphasis on timeliness may not carry the same weight in social settings as it does in Chinese culture, where it is often seen as a sign of respect.
Frequently Asked Questions about 及时
It's better to reserve '及时' for more formal situations, as it can sound overly serious in casual chats.
'我们需要及时反馈客户的意见' (We need to provide timely feedback to the client's opinions) is a common usage.
'快' (quick) refers more to speed, while '及时' emphasizes acting at the right time, so they aren't always interchangeable.
