Meaning
将 is a versatile and literary word most commonly used as a formal marker of future tense, similar to 'will' in English. It appears frequently in written Chinese and formal speech to indicate that an action is about to happen or will happen soon. As a verb, it can mean 'to take' or 'to handle,' and as a noun (pronounced jiàng), it means 'general' or refers to the piece in Chinese chess.
Usage
将 as a future marker is more formal and literary than 会 or 要. It's common in news reports, official announcements, and written narratives. The structure is typically: 将 + verb. In modern spoken Mandarin, people prefer 会 or 要 for everyday conversation. When used as a verb meaning 'to take/handle,' it often appears in the pattern 将...verb (把...verb).
Examples
- 01会议将在下周一举行。.The meeting will be held next Monday.
- 02我将把这个消息告诉他。.I will tell him this news.
Common collocations
- 即将about to; on the verge of
- 将要will; going to
- 将来future; in the future
- 将军general (military rank); check (in chess)
Origin
The character 将 originally depicted a hand holding meat on a table, symbolizing offering or presenting something. Over time, it developed meanings related to taking, leading (as a general leads troops), and future action.