If you've reached HSK 5 and want to sound precise in professional Mandarin, this live conversation lesson teaches you to use 即 (jí) — the formal equivalent of 就是 — to define and clarify terms in speech. After roughly 10 minutes with AI teacher Mei Lin, you'll be able to restate a concept more specifically, explain what an abbreviation stands for, or introduce a precise equivalent after a general term — the kind of clarification that belongs in presentations, reports, and professional conversations.
The pattern is straightforward: state a general term, then add 即 plus the specific explanation or equivalent. The structure is A，即 + Explanation/Equivalence. For example:
他精通三种语言，即中文、英语和法语。 (tā jīngtōng sān zhǒng yǔyán, jí zhōngwén, yīngyǔ hé fǎyǔ.) — "He is proficient in three languages, namely Chinese, English, and French."
Here, 三种语言 (sān zhǒng yǔyán, three languages) is the general term, and 即 introduces exactly which three. A shorter example from the lesson: 首都，即北京 (shǒudū, jí Běijīng) — "The capital, namely Beijing." Use 即 after a general term to pin down its precise equivalent. It belongs in formal contexts — not casual chat with friends.
This is a voice lesson, not a typing exercise. You talk out loud with Mei Lin in real time, and she corrects your grammar and pronunciation in the flow of conversation, adapting to your level. The lesson focuses on this single grammar pattern — Clarifying Terms — so you get repeated chances to produce sentences with 即 in realistic professional scenarios. You might explain what a department name stands for, restate a policy in more specific terms, or define a technical concept for a colleague.
You can also reinforce your writing with the free printable Chinese worksheet generator, which offers ready-made packs for HSK 1–3 vocabulary.
When you're ready for more advanced grammar, explore the full set of HSK 5 lessons or try another HSK 5 live lesson on assigning responsibility with 由 (yóu) and another HSK 5 live lesson on comparing and suggesting with 不如 (bùrú). The first lesson is free to start — no credit card required to begin talking.
即 (jí) means "namely" or "that is" in formal Mandarin. It's the written-formal equivalent of 就是 and is used to introduce a precise equivalent or explanation after a general term — for example, 首都，即北京 (shǒudū, jí Běijīng), "The capital, namely Beijing." Use it in presentations, reports, and professional speech, not casual conversation.
This is a live voice lesson where you talk with AI teacher Mei Lin for about 10 minutes, practicing 即 (jí) in realistic professional scenarios. Mei Lin corrects your grammar and pronunciation as you speak and adapts to your level. You'll define terms, explain abbreviations, and restate concepts — all using the A，即 + Explanation structure.
即 (jí) is a formal, written-style word. In everyday speech, most Mandarin speakers use 就是 instead. Reserve 即 for contexts like presentations, reports, and professional conversations where precise, formal language is expected. The lesson focuses specifically on these formal situations.
This is an HSK 5 lesson designed for advanced learners. If you're comfortable with HSK 4 grammar and want to refine your formal Mandarin, this lesson on 即 (jí) — Namely / That Is (Formal) — will help you sound more precise in professional contexts. You can try the first lesson free.