University of Cambridge Language Centre Chinese Intermediate

Use of 才 and 就

才 and 就 are two modal particles that do not have any direct translation into English, but are used a lot in Chinese. They convey certain meanings subtly and effectively: 才 implies the idea of 'late' or 'difficult', while 就 implies the idea of 'early' or 'easy'.


才 is used


  • to convey the idea that an event is taking place late or that a process is time-consuming.

你的账户过两天才会好。 Your account won't be ready for a couple of days.

他上个星期三才从北京回来。He only came back from London last Wednesday.


  • to emphasize the fact that a number is small or that an amount is low. It can then be translated as 'only'.

他第一次去中国的时候才五岁。He was only five when he went to China for the first time.

我学中文才学了两年。I have only learnt Chinese for two years.


  • to indicate that the realisation of something is potentially difficult.

我怎样才能开个人账户呢？How can I open an individual account?

我要怎么做才能令你满意呢？What can I do to make you satisfied?

就 is used


  • to convey the idea that an event took place early or that an action is swift.

我今天四点就到家了。I arrived home at four today (as early as four).

办银行账户一会儿就行。It only takes a short while to apply for a bank account.


  • to indicate that a situation is straightforward or that an action can be easily completed. It can then be translated as 'just'.

公司的附近就有一家分行。There is a branch just near the office.

你把这份证明给银行就没问题了。You just give this proof to the bank and it will be fine.

The correct use of 才 and 就

Match the correct English translation to each of the Chinese sentences. You can click on the Chinese to access the audio.

  • I got home as early as three o'clock.

  • I didn't get home until three o'clock.

  • I got home at three o'clock.

  • He started writing as early as five years' old.

  • He only started writing at five years' old.

  • He started writing at five years' old.

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