马上
right away, very soon
Structure
主语 + 马上 + 动词
What it means
马上 (literally “on horseback”) means “right away” or “very soon”.
How it is built
Subject + 马上 + verb: 我马上回来 (I’ll be right back). People often add 就: 我马上就到 (I’ll be there right away).
When to use it
With 了 at the end, it says something is about to happen: 火车马上就开了 (the train’s about to leave).
Watch out
✗ 我回来马上。 ✓ 我马上回来。 马上 goes after the person and right before the verb, never at the end as in English.
Examples
等一会儿，我马上回来。
Wait a moment, I’ll be right back.
火车马上就开了，快上车！
The train’s about to leave. Get on, quick!
好的，我马上关电视。
OK, I’ll turn the TV off right now.
Learn this in HSK 1 · Lesson 15: 你在做什么呢 (On the phone)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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