刻不容缓

kè bù róng huǎn

to brook no delay

HSK 6

Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

"刻不容缓" is a four-character idiom used to express that a situation or task is extremely urgent and cannot be delayed even for a moment. It often appears in formal or serious contexts such as emergencies, important decisions, or critical tasks.

Common Collocations

Usage Notes

This idiom is typically used in written or formal spoken Chinese to stress urgency. It is stronger than simply saying "紧急" (very urgent) because it implies that any delay could cause serious consequences.

Avoiding Confusion

Do not confuse "刻不容缓" with similar expressions like "睫" which also means urgent but often refers more to an imminent threat. "刻不容缓" stresses the necessity of immediate action rather than just the closeness of a deadline.

Example Sentences

面对突发的自然灾害,救援工作刻不容缓。

Miànduì tūfā de zìrán zāihài, jiùyuán gōngzuò kè bù róng huǎn.

In the face of sudden natural disasters, rescue work brooks no delay.

疫情防控刻不容缓,必须立即采取措施。

Yìqíng fángkòng kè bù róng huǎn, bìxū lìjí cǎiqǔ cuòshī.

Epidemic prevention and control brooks no delay; measures must be taken

这项任务刻不容缓,大家必须全力以赴完成。

Zhè xiàng rènwù kè bù róng huǎn, dàjiā bìxū quánlì yǐfù wánchéng.

This task brooks no delay; everyone must give their all to complete it.