zik1 si4即時即时
Jyutpingzik1 si4
Yalejīk sìh
Definition
Immediate, instant, or happening at the very same moment.
colloquialtimedaily actions
How it's used
Functions as an adverbial modifier to indicate an action happens without delay. It is more formal than the common spoken expression 立即 or 攞嚟做, often appearing in news reports or professional settings. When used to describe a reaction, it emphasizes the lack of a time gap between the stimulus and the response.
Examples
He received the news and rushed over immediately.
Can you handle this matter right away?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 隨時, which means anytime or at any moment, whereas 即時 specifically denotes an immediate, singular point in time.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
