The difference between 立刻, 马上 and 立即
With the adverbs 立刻, 马上, and 立即; we can express that an event occurs immediately.
立刻 and 马上
The adverbs 立刻 
and 马上 emphasize that an action is taking place immediately.
We usually use 立刻 in written formal speech and 马上 in colloquial speech.
In a sentence, we should state them both before the predicate.
and 马上 emphasize that an action is taking place immediately.
We usually use 立刻 in written formal speech and 马上 in colloquial speech.
In a sentence, we should state them both before the predicate. Pay attention
We often use the adverb 就 with the words 立刻 and 马上.
就 is stated either before or after these words.
with the words 立刻 and 马上.
就 is stated either before or after these words.Examples
要是我处在你的地位，我就立刻同意
If I were you, I would agree immediately
yàoshi wǒ chù zài nǐ de dìwèi, wǒ jiù lìkè tóngyì
他一说，我马上就明白了
As soon as he said it, I immediately understood
tā yì shuō, wǒ mǎshàng jiù míngbái le
When we use 马上 and 立刻 to express the future tense, their meanings slightly change.
The adverb 立刻 emphasizes that the action will happen right away.
However when we use 马上, it means that the action may happen now, or it may happen much later.
Let’s compare:
Examples
我们立刻就动身
We are leaving immediately
wǒmen lìkè jiù dòngshēn
Pay attention
It means that the action will happen right away.
Examples
我们马上就动身
We are leaving soon
wǒmen mǎshàng jiù dòngshēn
Pay attention
It means that the action can happen in a few hours, in a few days, or in an even longer period of time.
The adverb 立即
In written formal speech, we can replace 立刻 with the adverb 立即 .
.Examples
他们投票决定立即停止罢工
They voted to stop the strike immediately
tāmen tóupiào juédìng lìjí tíngzhǐ bàgōng
我要是你呀，我就立即辞职
If I were you, I would resign immediately
wǒ yàoshi nǐ ya, wǒ jiù lìjí cízhí
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