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Expressing "small quantity" with 就 ("jiu4")

就 jiù

Adverb
HSK 3

Structure

就 + Subj. + Predicate Subj. + 就 + [Verb Phrase] Subj. + 就 + Number + [Measure Word] + Noun

Translations

  • just
  • only

Definition

就在这里表示数量少，相当于‘只’、‘仅’。

In this context, 就 indicates a small quantity, equivalent to 'only' or 'just'.

Usage

用在数量词前，强调数量少。常与‘只’、‘不过’等类似结构。例如‘就一个人’、‘就三本书’。

Used before a numeral-measure word phrase to emphasize the smallness of the quantity. Often similar to structures like '只' or '不过'. For example, '就一个人' (only one person), '就三本书' (just three books).

Examples

  • 1 他就一个人来了。(He came alone, just one person.)
  • 2 我就剩下十块钱了。(I only have ten yuan left.)
  • 3 这个班就只有五个学生。(This class has only five students.)
  • 4 她每天就吃一顿饭。(She only eats one meal a day.)
  • 5 我在这里就待了两天。(I only stayed here for two days.)

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