就 jiù

To move toward higher ground, a capital, or a goal.

Then, just, exactly, immediately; to undertake or accomplish. Capital (京) + right hand (尤): reaching the capital, approaching a goal.

Common Usage & Traps

  • 就是 (jiù shì) — is exactly / is simply
  • 就要 (jiù yào) — will soon / then must
  • 我就来 (wǒ jiù lái) — I'm coming right away
  • 就要到了 (jiù yào dào le) — will arrive very soon
  • 马上就好 (mǎ shàng jiù hǎo) — will be ready in a moment
  • 我就去学校每天 我每天就去学校 / 我每天去学校

    English speakers often place '就' before the verb but after the time word incorrectly; '就' should come after the time expression or before the verb in a natural order.

  • 他就很忙 他很忙 / 他就是很忙

    '就' is not used as a simple 'to be' linking word with adjectives; it adds emphasis or sequence, so '他就很忙' sounds unnatural without context.

What is the difference between 就 and 才 when talking about time?

就 means 'already/soon/only takes', while 才 means 'only then/not until'.

就 emphasizes that something happens earlier or faster than expected, or is a simple consequence. 才 emphasizes that something happens later or slower than expected, or under a condition. In the story sentence, '就要最少五个多小时' uses 就 to say 'then it takes at least five hours' (a consequence), not 'only then'.
DimensionNatural (就)Avoid (才)
Time expectationEarlier/faster than expectedLater/slower than expected
Example坐飞机不到两个小时,坐火车就要五个多小时。坐火车要五个多小时才到。 (It takes over five hours to arrive.)
Meaning in contextThen / in that case / as a resultOnly then / not until

How do I use 就 to add emphasis without changing the basic meaning?

就 before a verb or adjective stresses 'exactly' or 'just'.

When 就 is placed before a verb or adjective, it often adds a sense of 'precisely', 'simply', or 'right away'. For example, '我就是喜欢' means 'I just like it' (emphasis). Without 就, '我喜欢' is neutral. This use is common in HSK 2 dialogues.
DimensionWith 就 (emphatic)Without 就 (neutral)
Example他就是我的老师。他是我的老师。
MeaningHe is exactly my teacher.He is my teacher.
ToneStrong confirmationPlain statement

Appears in Stories 14 stories

《饥饿的深意》 The Hidden Meaning of Hunger
HSK 7 ~11 min read 1243 chars
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Why would a millionaire leave a table of lobster and wagyu untouched? This story explores the hidden rules of business dining and the true cost of staying alert.

  • 旁边的人都在给他敬酒,他每次都端起来酒杯,嘴唇沾沾杯沿 就 放下。

  • 那种笑是绷着的,嘴角拉平,眼睛里一点儿温度也没有,也不是冷冷的, 就是 那种空空的感觉。

  • 我坐他对面,看见他把那块肉夹起来,放到了骨碟边沿,跟那根早 就 夹过来,但其实没吃的青菜并排摆着,整整齐齐。

  • 他说:“货款拖了四个月了,再不给,这周我 就 停了你的货!”

  • 他说过得 就 行,比我强。

  • 他说,我这些年养成的习惯,饭局上少吃,特别是不碰荤菜,碰了脑子 就 不清醒。

  • 你夹哪道,别人 就 看哪道。

  • 你多夹几口,别人 就 知道你好哪口。

  • 结果第二天对方笑着砍了他五个点的价,一边还看着他眼睛说,看你昨天吃东西的样子 就 知道你这人没坏心眼,肯定没跟我们要高价, 就 便宜百分之五吧。

  • 从那以后他才学会了,饭桌上吃得越少,别人越拿不准你,越拿不准 就 越不敢动你。

  • 到家了我 就 让保姆煮一碗清汤面,打两个蛋。

《你误会方便面了吗?》 Are Instant Noodles Misunderstood?
HSK 6 ~10 min read 1171 chars
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Think instant noodles are unhealthy? This HSK 6 article challenges common myths and reveals surprising facts about nutrition, oil, and salt in this convenient food.

  • 今天我们 就 来为方便面说两句话——方便面真的是被大家误会了。

  • 就是说 方便面里面基本没有水,所以 就算 在里面什么“东西”也不加,它也不会长毛变坏。

  • 就是说 ,没有任何一种食物可以提供全面营养,也 就 没有任何人只吃一种食物 就 可以完全满足身体的需要。

  • 看一下“人体所需营养”目录, 就 明白一个人最好每天吃10到30种以上的食物,这样才能得到各种各样的营养。

  • 它的一个优点 就是 具有较高的热稳定性。

  • 就是说 ,高温的时候也不容易产生有害物质。

  • 这 就是 为什么方便面里都有一个小盐包。

  • 当然, 就算是 没有误会,方便面也不好多吃。

《成语0001:东山再起》 The Comeback: From Eastern Mountain to Success
HSK 7 ~5 min read 589 chars
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Learn the fascinating story behind the Chinese idiom '东山再起' (Dongshan Zaiji), which means to make a comeback. Discover its historical roots and modern usage.

  • 但谢安不想做官,多次拒绝了朝廷的邀请, 就 住在会稽的东山(今天的浙江省会稽山),和朋友一起游玩。

  • 这就 是“东山再起”的由来。

  • 比如,一个公司破产了,老板又重新创业赚钱,我们 就 可以说“他东山再起了”。

  • 东山再起是褒义词,而“死灰复燃” 就是 它的反义词,是一个贬义词。

  • 比如,“美伊战争一开始,很多恐怖组织 就 死灰复燃了。”

《森林大火》 Forest Fires and a Homesick Heart
HSK 4 ~4 min read 454 chars
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Follow Xiao Li as he copes with the effects of forest fires near his home in the US and reflects on environmental changes. A thoughtful story for HSK 4 learners.

  • 这里的森林 就 在大海旁边,过去一直比较凉快。

  • 爸爸说,今年还好, 就是 有一点儿干。

《女朋友的苹果手机》 The Girlfriend's Apple Phone
HSK 3 ~3 min read 314 chars
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This humorous dialogue follows a man who spends all his savings on his girlfriend's Apple phone and a lucky number, leaving him broke. A fun read for HSK 3 learners.

  • A: 就 为这个?

  • 我们明年十月 就 结婚。

《慢还是快?》 Slow or Fast? A Language Learner's Debate
HSK 2 ~8 min read 593 chars
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Is four years to reach HSK 5 fast or slow? Follow a conversation between two learners as they compare study hours and share realistic strategies for busy adults.

  • B:我们说话的时候,只说“汉语” 就 可以了, 就是说 “中文老师、汉语老师”都可以。

  • 大家能听懂你的意思 就 可以了。

《吃的东西和喝的东西》 Buying Food and Drinks
HSK 1 ~4 min read 305 chars
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This is a short dialogue about a shopping trip. A woman buys many things, including food, drinks, furniture, and pet food, while her boyfriend reminds her not to overspend.

  • 它们昨天 就 没有吃的东西了。

《你喜欢看老电影吗?》 Do You Like Old Movies?
HSK 2 ~3 min read 224 chars
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In this dialogue, two people chat while waiting outside a cinema. You'll hear common phrases for talking about hobbies, sports, and movie preferences.

  • 今天我们 就要 看一个外国黑白老电影。

《我们一家》 A Family Dinner at the Restaurant
HSK 2 ~6 min read 401 chars
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In this warm dialogue, a parent introduces their family at a restaurant. A teacher gently corrects common mistakes about family words and names, making it perfect for HSK 2 learners.

  • B:你只有一个儿子,所以不要说“大儿子”,也不要说“小女儿”, 就说 “女儿” 就好 。

《友好的高友朋》 A Friendly New Friend at Work
HSK 2 ~4 min read 243 chars
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Meet Gao Youpeng, a friendly Beijing coworker who welcomes the narrator with local dishes and a simple language-exchange plan. This warm HSK 2 story is perfect for first readings about work and friendship.

  • 他今天从上海回来,晚上 就 和我去了一个饭馆儿吃北京菜。

《这还是茶馆儿吗?》 Teahouse or Cinema?
HSK 3 ~3 min read 325 chars
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Ever wondered where old Beijing's tea-drinking culture has gone? Follow a visitor discovering why locals now avoid famous tea houses—and practice expressing surprise and comparisons in Chinese along the way.

  • 老北京们去茶馆, 就是 因为想喝茶,也为了跟朋友说说话什么的。

《大学者和小人物》 The Scholar and the Cookie Seller
HSK 5 ~8 min read 882 chars
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Discover how a simple letter from a cookie seller led to an unexpected friendship with a famous scholar. This heartwarming story explores kindness and connection across social divides.

  • 胡之适看到饼干,笑了,说:“我早 就 吃过了。

《去上海》 Train or Plane to Shanghai
HSK 2 ~2 min read 151 chars
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Meet Xiao Shang, who is heading back to Shanghai. She compares two ways to travel and tells us why she prefers the slower one. This story helps you practice comparing transportation in simple Chinese.

  • 从北京到上海坐飞机,不到两个小时,但是要坐火车, 就要 最少五个多小时。

《哪里哪里!》 Where is 'Where'?
HSK 1 ~6 min read 432 chars
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Chat about where friends study Chinese while exploring 哪儿 and 哪里 across Beijing and Shanghai. Practice asking “where”, talking about “here” and “there”, and using the modest reply 哪里哪里 to accept a compliment.

  • 说“哪里” 就 可以。

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