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March 24, 2026
紧急(緊急)jǐnjí(jin3ji2)
The word '紧急' (jǐn jí) means urgent or emergency, often used to describe situations that require immediate attention or action. It is commonly applied in contexts such as medical emergencies, urgent requests, or critical deadlines. The nuance implies a sense of urgency that cannot be ignored.
Frequency#1343DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of urgency is often tied to social obligations and responsibilities, especially in business or family matters. For instance, a '紧急' call from a family member may indicate a serious situation that necessitates immediate attention.
Memory Tip
Imagine a '紧急' situation where time is tight, like a 'jin' (紧) rope that is being pulled tight in an 'emergency' (急) scenario. Visualize a clock ticking rapidly while you frantically try to resolve the emergency, which helps connect the sound 'jǐn' with being tight or urgent.
Meanings of 紧急
jǐnjí(jin3ji2)
1urgent
2emergency
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About 紧急
紧急Simplified
緊急Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#1343Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5ElementaryTOCFLL3HSKKL2CEFRA2
Podcast: 紧急
Podcast: 紧急
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AI Study Notes for 紧急
Quick Contrast
紧急 (urgent) vs 迫切 (pressing) — use 紧急 for situations needing immediate action, while 迫切 suggests a strong desire or need but not necessarily immediate action.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a '紧急' situation where time is tight, like a 'jin' (紧) rope that is being pulled tight in an 'emergency' (急) scenario. Visualize a clock ticking rapidly while you frantically try to resolve the emergency, which helps connect the sound 'jǐn' with being tight or urgent.
Usage Notes
Be mindful of using '紧急' in formal contexts, such as official communications or emergencies, and avoid using it in casual conversations about everyday matters. Common collocations include '紧急情况' (emergency situation) and '紧急通知' (urgent notice). Watch out for tone mistakes; ensure to pronounce the third tone for '紧' and the second tone for '急.'
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 5 word, '紧急' connects with other words related to urgency and necessity, such as '需要' (xū yào - need) and '重要' (zhòng yào - important). Students should focus on recognizing the contexts where urgency is expressed and practice using it in sentences.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of urgency is often tied to social obligations and responsibilities, especially in business or family matters. For instance, a '紧急' call from a family member may indicate a serious situation that necessitates immediate attention.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse '紧急' with '急迫' (jípò - pressing) and use them interchangeably; however, '紧急' specifically refers to emergencies that require immediate action. For example, saying '这个事情是急迫的' (zhège shìqíng shì jípò de) should be corrected to '这个事情是紧急的' (zhège shìqíng shì jǐn jí de).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 紧急
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Grammar Patterns of 紧急
紧急 functions as an adjective. In Chinese it behaves like a stative verb: place it directly after the subject without 是 (我很高，not 我是高). Use 不 to negate (不高) and pair it with 很 in plain affirmative sentences. It carries 2 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.
The lifeguards must be trained to deal with any sort of emergency.
6
在直升机紧急迫降时，一名幸存者被撞昏过去。
zài zhí shēng jī jǐn jí pò jiàng shí， ， yī míng xìng cún zhě bèi zhuàng hūn guò。
A survivor was knocked unconscious when the helicopter ditched.
Cultural Notes for 紧急
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of urgency is often tied to social obligations and responsibilities, especially in business or family matters. For instance, a '紧急' call from a family member may indicate a serious situation that necessitates immediate attention.
Frequently Asked Questions about 紧急
You can say '这是一个紧急情况' (zhè shì yí gè jǐn jí qíng kuàng), meaning 'This is an urgent situation.'
While '紧急' primarily relates to urgent matters, it can also describe any pressing situation that requires immediate action, not just emergencies.
Yes, '紧急' is appropriate for formal contexts, such as official notifications, reports, and medical situations.
