就 jiù right away
right away; then; only; exactly; as early as
How to remember 就: 京 capital + 尤 especially = right away. In the capital, the delivery app is especially fast, and the hot pizza arrives right away.
Component breakdown
就 = 京 capital + 尤 especially
- 京 capital
- 尤 especially
In the capital, the delivery app is especially fast, and the hot pizza arrives right away.
How it is used
- The "then / right away" adverb, before the verb. It ties a result tightly to its condition - 你来我就走 (nǐ lái wǒ jiù zǒu) once you come, I'll leave.
- Also stresses "as early/soon as" or "only/precisely" - 他六点就到了 (tā liù diǎn jiù dào le) he arrived as early as six; 我就要这个 (wǒ jiù yào zhège) this is exactly the one I want.
- Contrast 就 (sooner/less than expected) with 才 (cái, later/more than expected): 六点就来 vs 六点才来.
Words with 就
- 就是jiùshìexactlyHSK 4
- 就业jiùyèto get a jobHSK 5
- 成就chéngjiùaccomplishmentHSK 5
- 就算jiùsuàneven ifHSK 6
- 就读jiùdúto go to schoolHSK 6
- 将就jiāngjiuto accept (a bit reluctantly)HSK 7
- 就任jiùrènto take officeHSK 7
- 就医jiùyīto receive medical treatmentHSK 7
- 就地jiùdìlocallyHSK 7
- 就座jiùzuòto take a seatHSK 7
- 就此jiùcǐat this pointHSK 7
- 就职jiùzhíto take officeHSK 7
- 就近jiùjìnnearbyHSK 7
- 就餐jiùcānto dineHSK 7
- 就绪jiùxùto be readyHSK 8
- 就诊jiùzhěnto see a doctorHSK 8
- 迁就qiānjiùto yield toHSK 9
- 造就zàojiùto bring upHSK 9
Example sentences
- 我一会儿就回来。 Wǒ yíhuìr jiù huílai.I'll be back soon.
- 她最近就要出国了。 Tā zuìjìn jiùyào chūguó le.She will go abroad soon.
- 要是你不来，我就跟你分手。 Yàoshi nǐ bù lái, wǒ jiù gēn nǐ fēnshǒu.If you don't come, I am going to break up with you.
- 行，就这么办！ Xíng, jiù zhème bàn!OK, let's do it this way!