HSK 5
即
jí
that is
Structure
A，即 B (where B explains or rephrases A)
How it works
In HSK 5, the conjunction '即' (jí) is used to explain or provide a further definition of the preceding word or phrase. It is equivalent to 'that is', 'namely', or 'i.e.' in English and is commonly found in formal writing or precise descriptions.
Examples
人的一生分为四个阶段，即幼年、青年、中年和老年。
Rén de yìshēng fēnwéi sì gè jiēduàn, jí yòunián, qīngnián, zhōngnián hé lǎonián.
A person's life is divided into four stages, namely childhood, youth, middle age, and old age.
所谓‘虚岁’，即出生时就算作一岁。
Suǒwèi 'xūsuì', jí chūshēng shí jiù suànzuò yí suì.
The so-called 'nominal age' means counting as one year old at the time of birth.
三原色即红、黄、蓝。
Sānyuánsè jí hóng, huáng, lán.
The three primary colors are red, yellow, and blue.
Common mistakes
Mixing up '即' with '就'. While both can mean 'immediate', when used as 'that is' or 'namely', '即' is used in formal written contexts, whereas '就是' is preferred in spoken Chinese.
Tip
Think of '即' as a mathematical equals sign (=) used to connect a term with its literal meaning or components.
More HSK 5 grammar
See 即 in real Chinese
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