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就 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
就jiùat onceHSK 2, d, 12 strokes, radical 尢, rank #13, Easy
就jiùright awayHSK 2, d, 12 strokes, radical 尢, rank #13, Easy
就jiùonlyHSK 2, d, 12 strokes, radical 尢, rank #13, Easy
就jiùjust (emphasis)HSK 2, d, 12 strokes, radical 尢, rank #13, Easy
就jiùas early asHSK 2, d, 12 strokes, radical 尢, rank #13, Easy
就jiùalreadyHSK 2, d, 12 strokes, radical 尢, rank #13, Easy
就jiùas soon asHSK 2, d, 12 strokes, radical 尢, rank #13, Easy
就jiùthenHSK 2, d, 12 strokes, radical 尢, rank #13, Easy
就jiùin that caseHSK 2, d, 12 strokes, radical 尢, rank #13, Easy
就jiùas many asHSK 2, d, 12 strokes, radical 尢, rank #13, Easy
就jiùeven ifHSK 2, d, 12 strokes, radical 尢, rank #13, Easy
就jiùto approachHSK 2, d, 12 strokes, radical 尢, rank #13, Easy
就jiùto move towardsHSK 2, d, 12 strokes, radical 尢, rank #13, Easy
就jiùto undertakeHSK 2, d, 12 strokes, radical 尢, rank #13, Easy
就jiùto engage inHSK 2, d, 12 strokes, radical 尢, rank #13, Easy
就jiùto sufferHSK 2, d, 12 strokes, radical 尢, rank #13, Easy
就jiùsubjected toHSK 2, d, 12 strokes, radical 尢, rank #13, Easy
就jiùto accomplishHSK 2, d, 12 strokes, radical 尢, rank #13, Easy
就jiùto take advantage ofHSK 2, d, 12 strokes, radical 尢, rank #13, Easy
就jiùto go with (of foods)HSK 2, d, 12 strokes, radical 尢, rank #13, Easy
就jiùwith regard toHSK 2, d, 12 strokes, radical 尢, rank #13, Easy
就jiùconcerningHSK 2, d, 12 strokes, radical 尢, rank #13, Easy
就jiùjust, simply; to go to; to approach, nearHSK 2, d, 12 strokes, radical 尢, rank #13, Easy
jiù(jiu4) T4
  1. 1at once
  2. 2right away
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

就jiù(jiu4)

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.

Strokes12Radical尢Frequency#13DifficultyEasy
Cultural Note

The use of 就 in everyday conversation reflects a cultural emphasis on efficiency and directness in communication. Chinese speakers often prefer to get to the point quickly, and 就 helps convey that immediacy in actions or decisions.

Memory Tip

Imagine a person named Joe (pronounced similarly to 'jiù') who always does things right away. When you think of Joe, picture him jumping into action immediately, which helps you remember that 就 means 'right away' or 'just'. The radical for movement (走) is also present, linking it to the idea of approaching or undertaking something.

Meanings of 就

jiù(jiu4)
1at once
2right away
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 就

就Simplified
12Strokes
尢Radical
副词fùcíadverb (adv.)Part of Speech
#13Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L2HSK 3.0L2ElementaryTOCFLL1HSKKL1CEFRA1

Podcast: 就

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Podcast: 就

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AI Study Notes for 就

Quick Contrast

就 (jiù) vs 只 (zhǐ) — use 就 when emphasizing immediacy or certainty, while 只 focuses on limitation or exclusivity.

Usage Notes

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'.

HSK Study Tips

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.

Common Mistakes

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).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 就

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Etymology of 就

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

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".

Memory Hint

specialty

Semantic (meaning)尤
+
Phonetic (sound)京
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 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".

  1. 1The meaning half尤 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half京 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawayspecialty
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 就? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.

Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 就?

Decomposition of 就

IDS Structure⿰京尤
就Full Character
=
京Jing1
left
尤You2
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 就?

How to say at once in Chinese

“at once” in Chinese is就jiù

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

就

Practice writing 就 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

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.

Related grammar lessons6
Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

教学楼____在前边。

The teaching building is right up ahead.

Example Sentences for 就 (22)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
我讨厌别人就那件事指责我们。

wǒ tǎo yàn bié rén jiù nà jiàn shì zhǐ zé wǒ mén。

I hate it when people accuse us of that.
2
如果我对此不做点儿什么，就是不负责任。

rú guǒ wǒ duì cǐ bù zuò diǎn ér shí mó， ， jiù shì bù fù zé。

I would be remiss if I did not do some-thing about it.
3
她既然主动提出帮助照看孩子，我也就同意了。

tā jì rán zhǔ dòng tí chū bāng zhù zhào kàn hái zǐ， ， wǒ yě jiù tóng yì。

Since she'd offered to babysit, I took her up on it.
4
当你从内心深处找到一种可以忍受一切痛苦的坚强力量时，你的成长历程就会出现飞跃。

dāng nǐ cóng nèi xīn shēn chǔ zhǎo dào yī zhǒng kě yǐ rěn shòu yī qiē tòng kǔ de jiān qiáng lì liáng shí， ， nǐ de chéng cháng lì chéng jiù huì chū xiàn fēi。

The turning point in the process of growing up is when you discover the core of strength within you that survives all hurt.--Max Lerner
5
你是什么样的人和你想成为什么样的之间的差距就是，你做了什么。

nǐ shì shí mó yàng de rén hé nǐ xiǎng chéng wéi shí mó yàng de zhī jiān de chà jù jiù shì， ， nǐ zuò le shí。

The difference between who you are and who you want to be is what you do.
6
这个晚上最让人高兴的就是精彩的焰火表演。

zhè gè wǎn shàng zuì ràng rén gāo xīng de jiù shì jīng cǎi de yàn huǒ biǎo yǎn。

The most pleasurable experience of the evening was the wonderful fireworks display.
7
我们的床单有些次，您将就着用吧。

wǒ mén de chuáng dān yǒu xiē cì， ， nín jiāng jiù zháo yòng。

We're a bit low on bed linen. You'll have to make do.
8
我们之间唯一的差别就是肤色。

wǒ mén zhī jiān wéi yī de chà bié jiù shì fū sè。

The only difference between us is the colour of our skins.
9
你需要尽你所能，最大限度地去努力。只要你这么做，只要你能保持乐观，你就会看见乌云背后的幸福线。

nǐ xū yào jìn nǐ suǒ néng， ， zuì dà xiàn dù dì qù nǔ。 lì 。 zhī yào nǐ zhè， mó zuò ， zhī yào nǐ néng bǎo， chí lè guān ， nǐ jiù huì kàn jiàn wū yún bèi hòu。

You have to do everything you can. You have to work your hardest. And if you do, if you stay positive, then you have a shot at a silver lining.
10
你可能从小就被教育那样考虑问题。

nǐ kě néng cóng xiǎo jiù bèi jiào yù nà yàng kǎo lǜ wèn tí。

You were probably brought up to think like that.
11
我一到家就开始做饭。

Wǒ yī dào jiā jiù kāishǐ zuò fàn.

I start cooking as soon as I get home.
12
他一看到我就笑了。

Tā yī kàn dào wǒ jiù xiào le.

He smiled at once when he saw me.
13
你一说完，我就明白了。

Nǐ yī shuō wán, wǒ jiù míngbái le.

I understood at once after you finished speaking.
14
老师一进教室，学生们就安静下来。

Lǎoshī yī jìn jiàoshì, xuéshēngmen jiù ānjìng xiàlái.

The students quieted down at once when the teacher entered the classroom.
15
我一到公司就开始工作。

Wǒ yī dào gōngsī jiù kāishǐ gōngzuò.

As soon as I get to the company, I start working at once.
16
他一吃完饭就离开了。

Tā yī chī wán fàn jiù líkāi le.

He left at once after finishing his meal.
17
我一到家就开始做饭。

Wǒ yī dào jiā jiù kāishǐ zuò fàn.

I start cooking as soon as I get home.
18
他一看到我就笑了。

Tā yī kàn dào wǒ jiù xiào le.

He smiled at once when he saw me.
19
你一说完，我就明白了。

Nǐ yī shuō wán, wǒ jiù míngbái le.

I understood at once after you finished speaking.
20
老师一进教室，学生们就安静下来。

Lǎoshī yī jìn jiàoshì, xuéshēngmen jiù ānjìng xiàlái.

The students quieted down at once when the teacher entered the classroom.
21
我一到公司就开始工作。

Wǒ yī dào gōngsī jiù kāishǐ gōngzuò.

As soon as I get to the company, I start working at once.
22
他一吃完饭就离开了。

Tā yī chī wán fàn jiù líkāi le.

He left at once after finishing his meal.

Word Family of 就

Compounds6
鹫jiu4condor, vulture
蹴cu4to leap; to kick; solemn
僦jiu4to hire; to rent
噈
憱
殧
Words Containing This Character20
就jiùat once
就是jiùshìprecisely
就要jiùyàowill
就业jiùyèto get a job就業
就算jiùsuàneven if
早就zǎojiùalready at an earlier time
成就chéngjiùsuccess
也就是说yějiùshìshuōin other words也就是說
也就是that is
就此thus
就是说jiùshìshuōthat is就是說
造就zàojiùto bring up
就诊jiùzhěnto see a doctor就診
就读jiùdúto go to school就讀
就绪to be ready就緒
就地jiùdìlocally
就医jiùyīto receive medical treatment就醫
就近jiùjìnnearby
就职jiùzhíto take office就職
将就jiāngjiuto put up with將就
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

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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