立即
lìjí · HSK 4
at once
⚡ 立 = stand + 即 = approach; standing right up to it = immediately
立 means to stand/set up, 即 means to draw near or approach. Together: the moment you stand up and step right to it — no delay. Compare 即刻 (jíkè, that very moment) which shares 即.
立 — person standing on ground (大 over 一)
Pictograph of a person standing with arms outstretched on the ground line below. The original oracle bone form clearly shows a frontal human figure planted on the earth. The core meaning 'to stand' extended to 'establish, set up, erect.'
即 — 皀 (food vessel) + 卩 (kneeling person)
Originally a pictograph showing a person kneeling beside a food vessel, about to eat. The original sense was 'to approach (the meal)' or 'to draw near.' From this came extended meanings like 'immediately,' 'at once,' and 'namely,' since approaching something happens right away.