馬马上 mǎshàng conveys a sense of urgency and suggests that something will happen or be done without delay. Place it directly before the verb!
1 Structure
馬马上 mǎshàng + V
看完電影後，我們馬上就回家了。看完电影后，我们马上就回家了。
After watching the movie, we went home right away.
你不舒服的話，應該馬上去看醫生。你不舒服的话，应该马上去看医生。
If you’re not feeling well, you should go see a doctor right away.
手機響的時候，我馬上接了電話。手机响的时候，我马上接了电话。
When the phone rang, I answered it right away.
這件事情很重要，你要馬上處理。这件事情很重要，你要马上处理。
This matter is important — you need to handle it immediately.
飛機馬上就要起飛了，請繫好安全帶。飞机马上就要起飞了，请系好安全带。
The plane is about to take off — please fasten your seatbelt.
收到你的訊息後，我馬上就回覆了你。收到你的讯息后，我马上就回复了你。
After receiving your message, I replied to you right away.
🐎 Word History
Ever wondered why we say 馬马上 mǎshàng (literally “on the horse”) in Chinese to mean “immediately”? Back in ancient times, riding horses was the fastest way to travel. Being “on a horse” meant you were ready to ride off at full speed!
馬马上 vs 一…就…
Both show up around the idea of “right away,” but they do different jobs.
|
馬马上 mǎshàng |
一…就… yī…jiù… |
| Meaning |
“Immediately” — stands on its own |
“As soon as X, Y” — links two actions in sequence |
| Structure |
S + 馬马上 + V |
一 + V1，就 + V2 |
| Focus |
Speed of a single action |
How closely two actions follow each other |
| Example |
你先坐一下，我馬上回來。你先坐一下，我马上回来。
Have a seat for a moment, I’ll be right back.
|
我一下課就去打籃球。我一下课就去打篮球。
As soon as class ends, I go play basketball.
|
Can They Be Used Together?
Yes — the two combine naturally. 一…就… sets up the sequence (“as soon as X”), and 馬马上 adds emphasis that the second action happened without any delay at all.
我一到家就馬上洗澡。我一到家就马上洗澡。
As soon as I got home, I immediately took a shower.
2 Practice
Translate each sentence into Chinese, then tap the card to check your answer.
01As soon as I saw him, I recognized him immediately.
我一看到他，馬上就認出他了。我一看到他，马上就认出他了。
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02The meeting is about to start, please turn off your phones.
會議馬上就要開始了，請把手機關掉。会议马上就要开始了，请把手机关掉。
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03After she heard the bad news, she immediately left the office.
聽到壞消息後，她馬上離開了辦公室。听到坏消息后，她马上离开了办公室。
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04If it rains, we’ll immediately cancel the trip.
如果下雨，我們就馬上取消這次旅行。如果下雨，我们就马上取消这次旅行。
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05The waiter will bring the menu right away.
服務生馬上會把菜單拿過來。服务生马上会把菜单拿过来。
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06He immediately apologized after realizing his mistake.
他發現自己的錯誤後，馬上道歉了。他发现自己的错误后，马上道歉了。
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07The taxi will arrive immediately, please wait outside.
計程車馬上就到，請在外面等。出租车马上就到，请在外面等。
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08The company will immediately fix this problem.
公司會馬上解決這個問題。公司会马上解决这个问题。
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09When the fire alarm rang, everyone immediately ran outside.
消防警報一響，大家馬上跑到外面。消防警报一响，大家马上跑到外面。
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10She immediately changed her plan after hearing his suggestion.
聽了他的建議後，她馬上改變了計劃。听了他的建议后，她马上改变了计划。
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