才(cái)
Only Then / Not Until
Structure Pattern
Explanation
才 (cái) implies that something happened later than expected, with difficulty, or only under certain conditions. It carries a nuance of "not until," "only then," or "just barely." Contrasts with 就 (jiù), which implies things happen sooner/easier than expected.
Example Sentences
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Tā shí diǎn cái qǐchuáng.
He didn't get up until 10 o'clock.
Wǒ xué le sān nián cái huì shuō.
I studied for three years before I could speak.
Tā cái èrshí suì.
He's only twenty years old.
Tā zuótiān cái lái de.
She didn't come until yesterday.
Common Mistakes
Common Mistake
我才吃了饭。
Correct Usage
我刚吃了饭。
Foreigners often confuse 才 with 刚 when meaning 'just now' or 'a short time ago'. 才 implies the action happened later than expected or with difficulty, whereas 刚 simply states it happened recently without that nuance.
Related Grammar Points
Master 才
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