Chinese Character: 急
1. Character Basics
Radical: 心 (xīn radical, meaning "heart")
Stroke Count: 9
Stroke Order:
2. Pronunciation
Pinyin: jí
3. Meaning
urgent, anxious, quick, hurried, impatient
4. Common Words
- 着急 (zháo jí) - anxious, worried
- 紧急 (jǐn jí) - urgent, emergency
- 急忙 (jí máng) - hurriedly, in a rush
- 急躁 (jí zào) - impatient, short-tempered
- 急救 (jí jiù) - first aid
- 急事 (jí shì) - urgent matter
5. Grammar & Usage
1. Often used as an adjective to describe something that is urgent or pressing
2. Can be used as a verb meaning "to hurry" or "to rush"
3. Commonly forms compound words related to urgency or speed
6. Cultural Background
The character 急 originally depicted a person with a burning heart, symbolizing intense emotion or urgency. This imagery reflects the cultural understanding of urgency as a deeply felt emotional state rather than just a temporal condition.
7. Example Sentence
我有急事，需要马上离开。
Pronunciation: Wǒ yǒu jí shì, xū yào mǎ shàng lí kāi.
Translation: I have an urgent matter and need to leave immediately.
8. Memory Tips
To remember 急, note that it has 心 (heart) at the bottom, representing the emotional aspect of urgency. The top part 刍 can be associated with grass or plants growing quickly. Together, they convey the idea of a heart feeling the urgency of something growing or developing rapidly.