Difference between revisions of "Expressing indifference with "jiu""

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{{Grammar Box}}  
 
{{Grammar Box}}  
 
  
 
One of the many uses of 就 (jiù) is to add emphasis to indifference. This is similar to when we say in English "if you want to do it, then just do it!" and swapping out the "do" in that sentence for some other verb.  
 
One of the many uses of 就 (jiù) is to add emphasis to indifference. This is similar to when we say in English "if you want to do it, then just do it!" and swapping out the "do" in that sentence for some other verb.  
  
== Structure with Verbs==
+
== Structure ==
  
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
+
(不 +) Verb + 就 (+ 不) + Verb  
Verb + 就 + Verb
 
 
 
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
 
This structure will usually add emphasis to what are saying, and it often expresses that the speaker has an "I don't care" attitude.  
 
This structure will usually add emphasis to what are saying, and it often expresses that the speaker has an "I don't care" attitude.  
 
 
  
 
== Examples ==
 
== Examples ==
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<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
* 不吃<em>就</em>不吃,你以为我很想吃啊?<span class="trans">Just don't eat, then. You thought I wanted to eat?</span>
+
*他 不 来 <em>就</em> 不 来 。<span class="trans">Don't come if he doesn't want to.</span>
* <em>就</em>去,反正在家也没事。<span class="trans">If you want to go, just go. There's nothing happening at home anyway.</span>
+
*走 <em>就</em> 走 ,我 早就 不 想 干 了 。<span class="trans">I will leave if they want me to leave. I wanted to quit long time ago.</span>
 +
*反对 <em>就</em> 反对 ,我 不 在乎 。<span class="trans">If they disagree, let them disagree. I don't care.</span>
 +
*赌 <em>就</em> 赌 ,谁 怕 谁 ?<span class="trans">If you want to take a bet, let's take a bet. You think you scare me?</span>
 +
*离婚 <em>就</em> 离婚 ,谁 怕 谁 ?<span class="trans">If you want to get a divorce, let's get a divorce. You think you scare me?</span>
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
== Structure with Negative Adj. ==
+
You can also add in an adjective with a negative connotation.  
 
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
 
 
Negative Adj. + 就 + Negative Adj.
 
 
 
</div>
 
 
 
You can also add in an adjective with a negative connotation. The use is the same here.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
== Examples ==
 
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
 
+
*她 不 高兴 <em>就</em> 不 高兴 ,不 是 我 的 错 。<span class="trans">If she's unhappy, she's unhappy. It's not like it's my fault.</span>
* 不满意<em>就</em>不满意,我也没办法。<span class="trans">Be dissatisfied if you want, but there's nothing I can do.</span>
 
* 她不高兴<em>就</em>不高兴,又不是我的错。<span class="trans">If she's unhappy, she's unhappy. It's not like it's my fault.</span>
 
* 生气<em>就</em>生气,谁怕谁!<span class="trans">Get angry if you want. You think you scare me?</span>
 
 
 
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
==See also==
+
== See also ==
  
 
*[[Comparing "cai" and "jiu"]]
 
*[[Comparing "cai" and "jiu"]]

Revision as of 09:06, 30 November 2017

One of the many uses of 就 (jiù) is to add emphasis to indifference. This is similar to when we say in English "if you want to do it, then just do it!" and swapping out the "do" in that sentence for some other verb.

Structure

(不 +) Verb + 就 (+ 不) + Verb

This structure will usually add emphasis to what are saying, and it often expresses that the speaker has an "I don't care" attitude.

Examples

  • 他 不 来 不 来 。Don't come if he doesn't want to.
  • 走 ,我 早就 不 想 干 了 。I will leave if they want me to leave. I wanted to quit long time ago.
  • 反对 反对 ,我 不 在乎 。If they disagree, let them disagree. I don't care.
  • 赌 ,谁 怕 谁 ?If you want to take a bet, let's take a bet. You think you scare me?
  • 离婚 离婚 ,谁 怕 谁 ?If you want to get a divorce, let's get a divorce. You think you scare me?

You can also add in an adjective with a negative connotation.

  • 她 不 高兴 不 高兴 ,不 是 我 的 错 。If she's unhappy, she's unhappy. It's not like it's my fault.

See also

Sources and further reading

HSK5