How to determine what 即 means in a sentence

Question

I was reading an advertisement that says: '阿里云免费体验! 注册即获得高达300美元体验套餐! 立即开通阿里云全球服务!'

Would 即获得 mean 'immediately obtain?' 即 can mean so many different things, it's a bit confusing.

Many thanks, Rachel

Answer 1

Dictionary gives 6 meanings:

1. 就是：知识～力量。
2. 当时或当地：～日。～刻。～席。～景。在～。～兴（xìng ）。
3. 就，便：黎明～起。
4. 假如，倘若：～使。～便（biàn ）。～或。～令。
5. 靠近：不～不离。
6. 到，开始从事：～位。

With translations and comments, comments in italics:

1. is:
   • 知识即力量 = Knowledge is power.
   • This usage of 即 is more formal and less often heard colloquially.
2. this (time or place):
   • 即日 = today;
   • 即刻 = right now;
   • 即席 = with improvisation (lit. [in] this seat);
   • 即景 = the immediate (poetic) environment;
   • 在即 = soon;
   • 即兴 = with improvisation (lit. [by] that [time's] mood)
3. then:
   • 黎明即起 = [as soon as] dawn [comes], then [you should] get up
   • the example cited is actually Classical Chinese, so you would not hear this colloquially
4. if:
   • 即使 = even if
   • 即便 = even if
   • 即或 = even if
   • 即令 = even if
   • I don't even know the last two.
5. come near:
   • 不即不离 = keep at a respectful distance (lit. neither approach nor leave)
   • The example cited is a Buddhist term, and I have never heard of it.
6. to start working at some position:
   • 即位 = to start working at some position
   • 即位 is idiomatic, I would say.

Finally, a list of the words that you would hear colloquially:

• 即日 = today;
• 即刻 = right now;
• 即席 = with improvisation (lit. [in] this seat);
• 即景 = the immediate (poetic) environment;
• 在即 = soon;
• 即兴 = with improvisation (lit. [by] that [time's] mood)
• 即使 = even if
• 即便 = even if
• 即位 = to start working at some position

(From meanings 2,4,6)

Answer 2

You are right, 即获得 is "immediately obtain", The definition of 即 is by context, it is "immediately" or "right now" here.

Answer 3

即 here means immediately. If you register AliCloud you will then obtain the service set.

As I can think of, 即 can be used in several ways:

• that is ..., is just ..., similar to 就是, e.g. 知识即力量
• to start working at some position, e.g. 即位
• immediately, as in your sentence
• to make assumptions, similar to even if..., e.g. 即使

There could be more than what are listed above. Hope it helps.