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Expressing earliness with 就 ("jiu4")

就 jiù

Adverb
HSK 3

Structure

Subj. + Time + 就 + Verb Subj. + [Point in Time] + 就 + Verb + 了 Subj. + Time Period + 就 + Verb + 了

Definition

“就”用来表示事件发生得早或比预期早，常与时间词或动作同时使用。

"就" is used to express that something happens early or earlier than expected, often used with time words or actions.

Usage

“就”通常放在动词前，与表示时间或条件的词语搭配，强调动作或事件在较早的时间发生。常见结构有：时间词 + 就 + 动词；一...就...；刚...就...等。

"就" is usually placed before the verb, paired with words indicating time or condition, emphasizing that the action or event occurs at an early time. Common structures include: time word + 就 + verb; 一...就... (as soon as...); 刚...就... (just...then...) etc.

Examples

  • 1 他早上六点就起床了。 (He got up as early as six in the morning.)
  • 2 我昨天八点就睡觉了。 (I went to sleep as early as eight yesterday.)
  • 3 她一毕业就找到了工作。 (She found a job as soon as she graduated.)
  • 4 我们刚到家就下雨了。 (It started raining just as we got home.)
  • 5 他十岁就会弹钢琴了。 (He could play the piano as early as ten years old.)

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