及

jí

conjunction HSK 7-9 #1,237

Meanings

1 and; as well as
2 to reach; to come up to
3 in time for

Examples

HSK 1

来不及了！

Láibùjí le!

There's no time!

HSK 3

及时赶到了。

Jíshí gǎndào le.

Arrived just in time.

HSK 4

他以及他的朋友们都来了。

Tā yǐjí tā de péngyoumen dōu lái le.

He as well as his friends all came.

Tips

usage

及 is used in: 以及 (as well as), 及时 (in time), 来不及 (too late/not enough time), 及格 (to pass a test), 普及 (to popularize), 涉及 (to involve). It is more formal than 和 as a conjunction.

Components

radical

又 yòu

right hand; again

Lower 又 is the hand radical and the entry's filing point. The whole character pictures a hand reaching forward to catch up with a person already in motion - hence the meanings reach, catch up to, and also.

ideograph

及 jí

reach; catch up (upper fused body)

Top sweeping stroke functions as an abstract figure-marker above the 又 hand below - a stylized silhouette of the runner being reached for. Not a standalone CJK piece. Historically the schematic body of a fleeing person being chased, fused into one curving stroke.

Stroke Order