ZHIZHI 知止 · LEARN CHINESE DAILY
及
and; to reach; in time
jí
3 strokes · a hand catching up to a person from behind · HSK 3
Where 及 comes from
A hand grabbing someone from behind: catching up, reaching. Reaching one thing after another strung items together — the formal 'and' of lists.
及 in Chinese culture
来得及 'there's still time' vs 来不及 'too late' — the daily deadline pair. 及格 to pass an exam ('reach the bar'). Formal lists run on it: 老师及学生 teachers and students.
Example
及格 jígé — to pass (a test)
快点，还来得及！
Kuài diǎn, hái láidejí!
Hurry, there's still time!
How to remember it
A hand REACHES the runner — caught IN TIME, AND more.
及格 'to pass an exam' literally means 'reach the grid' — the grid being the passing line on old score sheets.
Same sound, different tones
Words unlocked by 及
来得及 láidejí
there is still time
及格 jígé
to pass
Related characters
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