How to use 就
就 + Subject + Predicate
就 can single out a limited participant or amount. Before a subject, it can identify the only person or thing for which the statement holds. Before a predicate, it may restrict the amount involved in the action, with the relevant quantity appearing later in the phrase. Position therefore helps determine the focus.
In colloquial quantity statements, 就 can also precede a number phrase directly to express having or being only that amount. The resulting restriction is interpreted against other available or expected possibilities. Do not assume every 就 means “only”: its other common uses concern timing, consequences, and emphasis. Identify what the sentence excludes and whether the focused element is a participant, an action, or a quantity.
Examples with pinyin and English
这件事就我知道。
I'm the only person that knows about this.
我们都忘了， 就他还记得。
We all forgot. Only he still remembers it.
大家都下班了， 就老板还没走。
Everyone finished work and left. Only the boss hasn't left.
其他的菜都很好吃， 就这两个菜有点咸。
The other dishes are great. Just these two dishes are a little salty.
What to remember
- Check what immediately follows 就.
- Before a subject, it can single out participants.
- Quantity restriction differs from timing uses.
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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.