Time Expression: 马上 (mǎshàng) - Right Away

Using 马上 is actually quite simple. You do not need complex conjugations. Chinese grammar is friendly like that. You just need to know where to put it. Think of it as an adverb. Adverbs love to hang out before the verb. You are describing *how* or *when* the action happens. You are saying the action happens "right now." You do not put it at the end of the sentence. That is a common trap for English speakers. In English, we say "I am coming right away." In Chinese, we say "I right away come." It feels like a little jump-start for your verb. It tells the listener to get ready. The action is starting almost before you finish the sentence.

1. 1Building a sentence with 马上 follows a very strict path. Follow these steps to get it right every time:
2. 2Start with your Subject (the person doing the action).
3. 3Add the time word 马上 immediately after the subject.
4. 4Place your Verb right after 马上.
5. 5Add any Objects or extra details at the end.
6. 6Structure: Subject + 马上 + Verb + (Object).
7. 7Example: 我 (Subject) + 马上 + 去 (Verb).
8. 8This means "I am going right away." If you want to add more punch, you can add 就 (jiù) after it. 我马上就去 makes it sound even more urgent. It is like adding an exclamation point to your speed.

You should use 马上 whenever the clock is ticking. Use it in a restaurant when the waiter says the food is coming. Use it when you are running late to meet a friend. It is perfect for professional settings too. If your manager asks for a file, say 我马上发给你 (I will send it to you right away). It shows you are proactive. You can also use it for things that are about to happen naturally. For example, "The movie is starting right away." It creates a sense of anticipation. It is the verbal equivalent of a sprinter waiting for the starting gun. Use it when the interval between "now" and the action is nearly zero.

Do not use 马上 for things that will happen in an hour. If you are going to the gym this afternoon, 马上 is too fast. Use 下午 (afternoon) instead. Also, avoid using it for things that happened in the past. You cannot say "I right away went yesterday." That would confuse your friends. It is strictly for the immediate future or things starting this very second. Also, be careful using it if you are actually going to be slow. In some cultures, people say 马上 but take twenty minutes. In China, this is a common joke! But for clear communication, only use it when the action is truly imminent. Do not use it with general habits. You wouldn't say "I right away eat breakfast every day."

The biggest mistake is the "English Brain" word order. Many people say 我来马上 (I come right away). This sounds very strange to a Chinese ear. Always keep 马上 before the action. Another mistake is forgetting the verb. You cannot just say 我马上 and stop. You need to say what you are doing. Even if it is just 我马上来 (I am coming right away). Also, watch out for the 了 (le) particle. While you can use 马上...了 for "about to happen," beginners often overcomplicate it. Keep it simple: Subject + 马上 + Verb. Think of 马上 as the engine that pulls the verb train. If the engine is at the back, the train won't move!

You might know 等一下 (děng yīxià), which means "wait a moment." This is the opposite of 马上. 马上 is for the person doing the action; 等一下 is for the person waiting. Then there is 很快 (hěn kuài). 很快 means "very fast." It describes the speed of the action itself, not when it starts. For example, "He runs very fast" uses 很快. "He will run right away" uses 马上. Finally, there is 就要...了 (jiùyào...le). This also means "about to." However, 马上 feels more immediate and intentional. 马上 is a promise of instant action. 就要 is more like a scheduled event that is approaching.