Meanings of 就
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Podcast: 就
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AI study notes for 就
就 (jiù) vs 只 (zhǐ) — use 就 when emphasizing immediacy or certainty, while 只 focuses on limitation or exclusivity.
Common mistakes include using 就 in overly formal contexts where another term may be more suitable. It can also be misused in negative sentences; learners should remember that in such contexts, 就 can indicate an exception. Pay attention to the tone, as it can change the meaning from 'just' to 'to approach'.
As an HSK Level 2 word, 就 is foundational for expressing immediacy and emphasis in sentences. It connects to other common words like '才' (cái) and '已经' (yǐjīng), which also deal with time and conditions. Students should practice using 就 in various sentence structures to gain fluency.
Learners often confuse 就 with other similar words like '才' (cái) or '再' (zài), leading to sentences like '我就去才' (I just go then), which is incorrect. The correct form would be '我就去' (I'll just go).
Pronunciation of 就
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Etymology of 就
Phonosemantic compound. 京 represents the meaning and 尤 represents the sound. Based on the original meaning "achieve". The meaning of this character has shifted over time and now means "high place".
specialty
Origin
就 = 尤 + 京. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 就
Parts
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How to say at once in Chinese
“at once” in Chinese is就
The character 就 (jiù) has a versatile meaning, often indicating immediacy or a sense of certainty. It can express 'just' or 'only' to emphasize a point, and it is commonly used to indicate that something will happen right away or as soon as a condition is met. In various contexts, it can also imply a shift in focus or a conclusion based on prior statements.
When to use 就
Common mistakes include using 就 in overly formal contexts where another term may be more suitable. It can also be misused in negative sentences; learners should remember that in such contexts, 就 can indicate an exception. Pay attention to the tone, as it can change the meaning from 'just' to 'to approach'.
就 or something close to it
就 (jiù) vs 只 (zhǐ) — use 就 when emphasizing immediacy or certainty, while 只 focuses on limitation or exclusivity.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 就 with other similar words like '才' (cái) or '再' (zài), leading to sentences like '我就去才' (I just go then), which is incorrect. The correct form would be '我就去' (I'll just go).
Write 就
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Practice writing 就 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar patterns of 就
就 functions as an adverb — it modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb. In Chinese, adverbs sit BEFORE the verb they modify (我也去, 他常常迟到), never after it. It carries 23 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
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Example sentences for 就 (22)
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Word Family of 就
Characters with 就
What does 鹫 mean?
Frequently asked questions about 就
Use 就 when you want to emphasize immediacy or certainty, especially in informal contexts. For example, '我就去' (I'll go right away) highlights the promptness.
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