Understanding "紧急" - Chinese Word Explanation

1. Basic Information

• Word: 紧急
• Pinyin: jǐn jí
• Literal Meaning: "Tight" (紧) + "Urgent" (急)
• Primary Meaning: "Urgent" or "emergency," describing a situation requiring immediate action or attention.

2. In-depth Explanation

• Context and Usage:
  "紧急" is used to describe situations that are critical, pressing, or cannot be delayed. It often appears in formal or serious contexts, such as emergencies, official announcements, or time-sensitive matters. For example:
• 紧急会议 (jǐn jí huì yì) – "emergency meeting"
• 紧急情况 (jǐn jí qíng kuàng) – "urgent situation"

The word carries a stronger tone than simply "urgent" (急 alone) and implies a higher level of severity.

• Character Breakdown:
• 紧 (jǐn): Means "tight," "fast," or "tense." Here, it intensifies the urgency.
• 急 (jí): Means "urgent," "anxious," or "quick." Combined, the two characters emphasize extreme urgency.

3. Example Sentences

1. Chinese: 这是一个紧急事件，需要立刻处理。
   Pinyin: Zhè shì yī gè jǐn jí shì jiàn, xū yào lì kè chǔ lǐ.
   English: This is an urgent incident that needs immediate handling.

2. Chinese: 医院接收了很多紧急病人。
   Pinyin: Yī yuàn jiē shōu le hěn duō jǐn jí bìng rén.
   English: The hospital admitted many emergency patients.

3. Chinese: 请拨打紧急电话110。
   Pinyin: Qǐng bō dǎ jǐn jí diàn huà 110.
   English: Please call the emergency number 110.

Cultural Notes

In China, "紧急" is frequently used in public announcements, safety instructions, and official communications. For instance:
- Emergency numbers like 110 (police), 120 (ambulance), and 119 (fire) are labeled as "紧急电话" (jǐn jí diàn huà).
- During natural disasters or public health crises (e.g., COVID-19), the term appears in government alerts to stress the severity of the situation.

Conclusion

"紧急" (jǐn jí) is a high-intensity word for "urgent" or "emergency," often used in critical scenarios. Remember its components: 紧 (intense) + 急 (urgent). Practice using it in contexts like emergencies, meetings, or warnings to sound natural in Chinese.