Meaning and Usage
The character 急 (jí) primarily means 'urgent' or 'anxious.' It is often used to describe a feeling of hurry or stress due to time pressure or important matters.
Common Contexts
急 is frequently used in daily conversation to express urgency or impatience, such as 急着 (in a hurry), 急事 (urgent matter), or 急忙 (hurriedly).
Collocations and Patterns
- 急着 + verb: indicates someone is in a hurry to do something (e.g., 急着去)
- 别急: a common phrase meaning 'don’t rush' or 'calm down'
- 急事: refers to an urgent matter or emergency
Usage Notes
When 急 is used to describe a person’s state, it often implies a sense of anxiety or impatience. It can also describe situations requiring immediate attention. Avoid confusing 急 with 慌 (huāng), which emphasizes panic rather than urgency.
Tone and Register
急 is neutral in tone and suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It is a very common character in spoken and written Chinese.