instantly; immediately; at once
Used as an adverb or prefix to indicate that something happens without delay. Often appears in compounds like 即答 (immediate reply) or 即死 (instant death).
彼は質問に即答した。
He answered the question instantly.
その事故で即死した。
He died instantly in the accident.
Conjunction used in negative sentences to express that one thing is equivalent to another, often with a nuance of inevitability. Typically in the pattern ～は～に即する or ～即ち～.
沈黙は同意に即するわけではない。
Silence does not necessarily equal consent.
oneness; inseparability
Buddhist term referring to the non-duality or inseparability of two seemingly opposing concepts, such as life and death, or good and evil.
生死即涅槃という考え方がある。
There is a concept that life and death are one with nirvana.
即ち is the common conjunction meaning 'that is to say', while 即 used this way is a rarer, more literary equivalent found in formal or classical-style writing.
直ちに is the common formal adverb meaning 'at once' in everyday and official writing, whereas 即 rarely stands alone and appears mainly inside compound words such as 即死.
則 (そく) means 'rule/regulation', while 即 (そく) means 'immediate/instant'; they share the same reading but are written and used quite differently.
immediate; instant; on the spot
same day; on the day
instant death; dying on the spot
immediate; prompt; in real time
improvisation · improvised; impromptu; ad-lib
immediate effect; instant effect
immediately; at once; instantly
accession to the throne; enthronement
cash payment; immediate payment in cash; spot cash
The kanji 即 originally depicts a person kneeling before a vessel of food, implying 'to approach' or 'to draw near', which extended to 'immediate' and 'instant'. The conjunction and Buddhist senses derive from classical Chinese usage.
impromptu; improvised; off-the-cuff · instant; quick-prepare
selling on the spot; on-site sale
conform to; be based on; be adapted to
immediate decision; on-the-spot decision; snap decision · summary judgment
immediate reply; answering on the spot
compliance; conformance; adaptation · immediate response; rapid reaction
touch-and-go; explosive; on the brink
immediate delivery; prompt payment
immediate execution; carrying out right away · right away; immediately; without delay
prompt decision; snap judgment
form is emptiness; matter is void; all is vanity
immediately; right away; on the spot
conform to; be based on; be in line with
at the moment; right now; immediately
immediate value; immediate data
immediate sex (without showering first)
improvisation of a poem; improvising a poem
on the same night; that very night
ready wit; quick thinking; improvisational cleverness
same-day sellout; selling out on the first day
in itself