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: 才 implies the idea of 'only if' or 'however', while 就 implies the idea of 'early' or 'as long as'.


才 is used


  • to convey the idea that an event can only take place when some prior condition has been met. It can then be translated as 'only if'.

吃了药才会好。 You'll only get better if you take medicine.

检查一下才放心。You'll only be worriless if you have a check.


  • to emphasize and confirm a statement and it is sometimes used for comparison. It can then be translated as 'however', 'actually'.

大家都觉得工作第一，其实身体健康才是最重要的。Everyone gives priority to work, however health is actually the most important thing you have.

你找错人了，我才是这里的经理。You found the wrong person, I'm actually the manager here.

就 is used


  • to convey the idea that an event has taken place earlier or that an action is going to take place soon.

我从昨天晚上开始就觉得肚子有点儿不舒服。I have had a bad stomach since last night.

医生马上就来了。The doctor is coming straightaway.


  • to indicate that a situation is straightforward or that a result can be easily achieved. It can then be translated as 'just', 'as long as'.

我躺着休息就行了。I just need to lie down.

做一下透视就知道有没有骨折了。You'll know if you have broken bones as long as you do a scan/just by doing a scan.

The correct use of 才 and 就

Select the correct modal particle to complete the following sentences. Check your answers.

1. 出租车马上 到了。
The taxi will arrive in no time.

2. 我今天一下班 去看你。
I will go and see you as soon as I finish work today.

3. 我整整过了一个星期 完全康复。
It took me a whole week to recover fully.

4. 她在家只休息了一天 来上班了。
She only rested at home for a day and came back to work.

5. 我家附近 有一家药房。
There is a pharmacy just near my home.

6. 那个孩子每天做完了作业 可以玩一会儿。
That child can only play for a little while every day after he has finished all his homework.

7. 饮食不规律 容易胃疼。
Irregular meals will cause stomach-ache.

8. 我去医院做了透视 知道我的手臂骨折了。
Only after I had X-rays in the hospital did I know that I had broken a bone.

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