才
cái
Meaning
- just now
- (before an expression of quantity) only
- then and only then
Definition
表示才能、才干；或用作副词，表示时间晚、条件唯一、数量少或强调语气。
Talent, ability; or used as an adverb indicating lateness, exclusivity, small quantity, or emphasis.
Usage
‘才’作为名词时指才能，如‘人才’；作为副词时，可表示事情发生得晚（‘他八点才来’），表示唯一条件（‘只有努力才能成功’），表示数量少（‘他才五岁’），或用于强调（‘这才是好孩子’）。
As a noun, 'cai' means talent, e.g., 'rencai' (talent). As an adverb, it can indicate lateness ('He came at eight o'clock'), exclusivity ('Only by working hard can one succeed'), small quantity ('He is only five years old'), or emphasis ('This is indeed a good child').
Examples
- 1 他很有才，会弹钢琴还会画画。 (He is very talented, can play the piano and paint.)
- 2 她昨天才告诉我这件事。 (She only told me about this yesterday.)
- 3 只有努力学习，才能取得好成绩。 (Only by studying hard can you get good grades.)
- 4 我才喝了半杯水，不渴。 (I only drank half a glass of water, I'm not thirsty.)
- 5 这才是我们要找的答案！ (This is indeed the answer we are looking for!)
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