How to use 就
Verb phrase + 就 + repeated verb phrase
Repeating a verb phrase around 就 can accept a possibility while dismissing its power to worry or deter the speaker. The tone may be indifferent, resigned, or defiant: if that happens, so be it. A following explanation often shows why the speaker is willing to live with the consequence. The construction is especially natural in direct conversational responses.
Repeat the relevant verb or short phrase, keeping negatives or aspect wording where the meaning requires them. This pattern does not automatically tell someone to act; it can acknowledge an unwanted event that has already happened. Read the surrounding conversation to distinguish calm acceptance from an impatient challenge or a deliberately bold reaction.
Examples with pinyin and English
坏了就坏了，再买新的。
If it's broken, so be it—we can buy a new one.
走就走，我早就不想干了！
Sure, I'll leave. I wanted to quit a long time ago!
反对就反对，我不在乎。
If they oppose it, let them oppose it. I don't care.
赌就赌，谁怕谁？
If you want to take a bet, let's take a bet. You think you scare me?
What to remember
- Repeat the same relevant action or situation.
- Use the following clause to explain acceptance.
- Read the tone from context rather than 就 alone.
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Source and editorial notes
Explanation rewritten for Laowai. Examples are adapted from the Laowai English grammar curriculum, with editorial corrections where needed. The original curriculum credits AllSet Learning’s Chinese Grammar Wiki as used with permission. Read the retained source credits.
Difficulty labels describe the level of the explanation; they are not official HSK placement. Send a correction with this page’s URL.