part., adv., conj.
exactly; precisely; even if
就是
exactly; precisely; even if
Emphatic connector meaning 'precisely', 'exactly', or 'simply' (就 exactly + 是 to be); highlights certainty or confirms identity.
Common Usage & Traps
- 就是因为 — precisely because; simply because
- 我就是不去 — I simply won't go; I am not going, period
- 不是...就是... — either... or...
- 就是...也... — even if... still...
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就是我不去我就是不去If you mean 'I just won't go,' 就是 must sit after the subject. Before the subject it sounds like 'It is me who isn't going.'
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他就是在睡觉，就是在打游戏他不是在睡觉，就是在打游戏For either/or, use 不是 before option one and 就是 before option two. Two 就是 sounds like two separate statements.
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就是去茶馆因为想喝茶就是因为想喝茶才去茶馆For 'precisely because,' put 就是因为 before the reason. The result usually comes after 才.
Why does the teahouse line say 就是因为想喝茶 instead of just 因为想喝茶?
就是因为 slams the reason as the exact one, not just any old reason.
因为 alone gives a reason. 就是因为 points at the exact reason and pushes other reasons aside. In the story, old Beijingers went to teahouses precisely because they wanted tea, and also to chat. It often pairs with 才 in the result clause: 就是因为想喝茶才去茶馆。
“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。” (Old-time Beijingers went to teahouses simply because they wanted tea, and also to chat with friends and such.)
“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。” (Old-time Beijingers went to teahouses simply because they wanted tea, and also to chat with friends and such.)
| Dimension | Natural | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Emphatic reason | 就是因为想喝茶才去茶馆。 | 就是去茶馆因为想喝茶。 |
| Plain reason | 因为想喝茶，所以去茶馆。 | 因为想喝茶就是去茶馆。 |
| Reason slot | 就是因为 + reason + 才 + result | 就是 + result + 因为 + reason |
Does 我就是不去 sound more stubborn than 我不去?
Yes: 就是 turns a simple no into a wall, meaning I am not going, period.
我不去 is a plain no. 我就是不去 says you have dug in and will not move. It often answers nagging or pressure. Put 就是 after the subject: 我就是不去. Do not say 就是我不去 unless you mean 'It is me who is not going.'
| Dimension | Natural | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Stubborn refusal | 我就是不去。 | 就是我不去。 |
| Plain refusal | 我不去。 | 我就是不去。 |
| Meaning check | I am not going, period. | It is me who is not going. |
Can 就是 mean even if in 你就是再努力，也赶不上他?
Yes: 就是...也... means even if, and it sounds more spoken than 即使.
This pattern sets up a hard case: even if you try harder, the result stays the same. 就是 comes before the condition, and 也 comes before the result. Example: 你就是现在出发，也来不及了。 It is common in argument and everyday talk.
| Dimension | Natural | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Even if | 你就是再努力，也赶不上他。 | 你就是再努力，就赶不上他。 |
| Condition slot | 就是 + condition + 也 + result | 因为 + condition + 也 + result |
| Meaning | Even if you try harder, you still won't catch him. | You try harder because you still won't catch him. |
Does 不是...就是... mean either/or, or does it mean not...but just...?
It means either A or B, and the two options are the only realistic ones.
The frame 不是 A 就是 B says one of two things must be true. Example: 他不是在睡觉，就是在打游戏。 He is either sleeping or playing games. For 'not A, just B,' use 只是: 他不是老师，只是个学生。 Do not use 就是 for that meaning.
| Dimension | Natural | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Either/or | 他不是在睡觉，就是在打游戏。 | 他就是在睡觉，就是在打游戏。 |
| Only two options | 周末他不是加班就是补觉。 | 周末他就是加班，就是补觉。 |
| Not A, just B | 他不是老师，只是个学生。 | 他不是老师，就是学生。 |
Appears in Stories 5 stories
Real context sentences across different daily scenarios and graded readings.
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.
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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。
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.
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爸爸说，今年还好， 就是 有一点儿干。
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.
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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。
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.
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它的一个优点 就是 具有较高的热稳定性。
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这 就是 为什么方便面里都有一个小盐包。
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.
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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。
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