刻不容缓 kèbùrónghuǎn to brook no delay
to brook no delay; to demand immediate action
How to remember 刻不容缓: 刻 quarter (hour) + 不 not + 容 contain + 缓 slow = to brook no delay.
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How it is used
- Says a matter admits no delay - must be acted on now - 情况紧急，刻不容缓 (qíngkuàng jǐnjí, kèbùrónghuǎn) the situation is urgent and brooks no delay.
- Set idiom, formal; often predicate: 治理污染刻不容缓 tackling pollution can't wait.
- Stronger and more formal than 很急; frames a duty to act immediately.