随即
immediately afterwards; thereupon (written)
Structure
动作 A ， （主语） 随即 ＋ 动作 B
What it means
Immediately afterwards; thereupon. Links two actions in a narrative: the second follows straight on from the first, often as a direct response to it.
How it is built
Action A，（subject）+ 随即 + action B, right before the verb: 地震发生后，当地政府随即组织群众撤离 (Right after the earthquake, the local government organised an evacuation).
When to use it
Written and formal; in speech say 马上 or 立刻. It narrates what happened, so it is not for requests. 随后 only means “afterwards” and allows a gap of some time; 随即 means at once.
Watch out
Not for urging anyone: ✗ 你随即过来一下 ✓ 你马上过来一下. Also keep 随即 (straight away) apart from 随后 (afterwards, perhaps after a while).
Examples
比对结果出来后，警方随即对高氏家族展开了排查。
Once the comparison came back, the police immediately began screening the Gao clan.
地震发生后，当地政府随即组织群众撤离。
Right after the earthquake, the local government organised an evacuation.
他接完电话，随即起身离开了会议室。
He finished the call, then got straight up and left the meeting room.
Learn this in Lesson 194 · HSK 7–9: 二十八年后破案 (Solved after twenty-eight years)
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.
Open the lesson →