adjective HSK 5
critical · urgent · perilous · in imminent danger
Meaning
危急 describes situations that are extremely urgent and dangerous, where immediate action is needed to prevent disaster or loss. It combines the characters for danger (危) and urgent (急) to convey a sense of critical emergency requiring swift response.
Usage
This word is used in formal and serious contexts, particularly in medical emergencies, crisis situations, or when describing life-threatening circumstances. Common in news reports, medical settings, and emergency communications. It carries more gravity than simply 急 alone.
Examples
- 01病人的情况十分危急，需要立即手术。, .The patient's condition is extremely critical and requires immediate surgery.
- 02在那个危急时刻，他表现得非常冷静。, .In that critical moment, he remained very calm.
Characters
Common collocations
- 危急时刻critical moment
- 危急情况critical situation
- 病情危急the illness is critical
Antonyms
Origin
Both characters have ancient origins. 危 originally depicted a person on a cliff edge, while 急 shows a hand grasping something tightly, conveying urgency. Together they form a compound emphasizing both danger and time pressure.