HSK 2Adverbs

就(jiù)

Then / Right Away / As Soon As

Structure Pattern

Condition / Time+就+Verb

Explanation

就 (jiù) implies that something happens sooner or more easily than expected. It's the optimistic counterpart to 才 (cái). It can mean "then," "right away," or emphasize that something is simple/quick.

Example Sentences

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他六点就起床了。

Tā liù diǎn jiù qǐchuáng le.

He got up as early as 6 o'clock.

我马上就来。

Wǒ mǎshàng jiù lái.

I'll come right away.

吃完饭就走吧。

Chī wán fàn jiù zǒu ba.

Let's leave right after eating.

一看就懂。

Yí kàn jiù dǒng.

Understand it at first glance.

Common Mistakes

❌

Common Mistake

我吃完饭去图书馆就。

✅

Correct Usage

我吃完饭就去图书馆。

info

就 (jiù) typically precedes the verb or predicate it modifies, indicating that an action happens immediately or as a direct consequence. Placing 就 at the end of the sentence is incorrect; it should come before the verb '去'.

adverbtimeemphasissequence

Related Grammar Points

才HSK 2

Only Then / Not Until

cái

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.

Adverbs4 examples

Master 就

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