语法 · HSK 3–4
就 (jiù) vs 才 (cái): sooner or later than expected
With a time or amount, 就 says it is earlier, sooner or easier than expected, and usually ends with 了: 他七点就来了 "He came as early as seven". 才 says it is later or harder than expected, with no 了: 他十点才来 "He didn't come until ten". 才 can also mean "only": 我才学了一年.
句型Patterns
Time + 就 + Verb + 了Earlier than expected.Time + 才 + VerbLater than expected; no 了.一 + Action 1 + 就 + Action 2As soon as: 我一到家就睡了.才 + NumberOnly (small amount): 他才五岁.
例句Examples
- 电影八点开始，他七点就到了。diàn yǐng bā diǎn kāi shǐ, tā qī diǎn jiù dào le.The film started at eight, and he was there by seven.
- 我等了一个小时，他才来。wǒ děng le yí gè xiǎo shí, tā cái lái.I waited an hour before he finally came.
- 我一到家就给你打电话。wǒ yí dào jiā jiù gěi nǐ dǎ diàn huà.I'll call you as soon as I get home.
- 他才学了半年中文，说得已经很好了。tā cái xué le bàn nián zhōng wén, shuō de yǐ jīng hěn hǎo le.He's only studied Chinese for six months, but he already speaks well.
常见错误Common mistakes
-
✗他十点才来了。
✓他十点才来。
才 for "only then" does not take 了.
-
✗我一下课才去吃饭。
✓我一下课就去吃饭。
The 一……就 pattern means "as soon as"; 才 does not fit.
重点词语Words in this guide
Common questions
Does 就 always mean "then"?
No. 就 also means "exactly" or "only": 就是他 "it's him", 我就有十块钱 "I only have ten dollars".