Expressing indifference with "jiu"

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 就 不 来 。Don't come if he doesn't want to.
• 走 就 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 就 反对 ，我 不 在乎 。If they disagree, let them disagree. 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?
• 离婚 就 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 就 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

• Comparing "cai" and "jiu"
• Events in quick succession with "yi... jiu"
• Expressing earliness with "jiu"
• Limiting scope with "jiu"
• "If…, then…" with "ruguo…, jiu…"

Sources and further reading

• 现代汉语八百词 (pp. 316-317) 卓越汉语－公司实战篇 →buy

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