Difference between revisions of "Expressing "small quantity" with "jiu""
 
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就 (jiù) is often translated simply as "just" or "only," but there are some nuances to how it is used.
 
就 (jiù) is often translated simply as "just" or "only," but there are some nuances to how it is used.
  
−
== Used as an Adverb ==
+
== Used as "Only" ==
  
 
就 can also be used to express one person or thing, similar to how we say in English "just one person" or "just one left." It is often paired with 一个 or similar in order to emphasize the small quantity.
 
就 can also be used to express one person or thing, similar to how we say in English "just one person" or "just one left." It is often paired with 一个 or similar in order to emphasize the small quantity.
  
−
=== Structure ===
+
=== Used Before the Subject ===
 +
 
 +
==== Structure ====
  
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
−
就 + Subj. + Verb
+
就 + Subj. + Predicate
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
−
=== Examples ===
+
The [[predicate]] part of the pattern can be a verb or an adjective.
 +
 
 +
==== Examples ====
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
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*这 件 事 <em>就</em> 我 知道 。<span class="pinyin">Zhè jiàn shì <em>jiù</em> wǒ zhīdào.</span><span class="trans">I'm the only person that knows about this.</span>
 
*这 件 事 <em>就</em> 我 知道 。<span class="pinyin">Zhè jiàn shì <em>jiù</em> wǒ zhīdào.</span><span class="trans">I'm the only person that knows about this.</span>
 
*我们 都 忘 了 ，<em>就</em> 他 还 记得 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒmen dōu wàng le, <em>jiù</em> tā hái jìde.</span><span class="trans">We all forgot. Only he still remembers it.</span>
 
*我们 都 忘 了 ，<em>就</em> 他 还 记得 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒmen dōu wàng le, <em>jiù</em> tā hái jìde.</span><span class="trans">We all forgot. Only he still remembers it.</span>
−
*所有 的 菜 都 很 好吃，<em>就</em> 这 两 个 菜 有点 咸 。<span class="pinyin">Suǒyǒu de cài dōu hěn hǎochī, <em>jiù</em> zhè liǎng gè cài yǒudiǎn xián.</span><span class="trans">All the food is delicious. Just these two dishes are a little salty.</span>
+
*大家 都 下班 了 ，<em>就</em> 老板 还 没 走 。<span class="pinyin">Dàjiā dōu xiàbān le, <em>jiù</em> lǎobǎn hái méi zǒu.</span><span class="trans">Everyone finished work and left. Only the boss hasn't left.</span>
−
*大家 都 下班 了 ，<em>就</em> 老板 还 在 办公室 。<span class="pinyin">Dàjiā dōu xiàbān le, <em>jiù</em> lǎobǎn hái zài bàngōngshì.</span><span class="trans">Everyone finished work and left. Only the boss is still in the office.</span>
+
*其他 的 菜 都 很 好吃，<em>就</em> 这 两 个 菜 有点 咸 。<span class="pinyin">Qítā de cài dōu hěn hǎochī, <em>jiù</em> zhè liǎng gè cài yǒudiǎn xián.</span><span class="trans">The other dishes are great. Just these two dishes are a little salty.</span>
−
*你 觉得 别人 都 是 傻子 吗？<em>就</em> 你 聪明 ？<span class="pinyin">Nǐ juéde biérén dōu shì shǎzi ma? <em>Jiù</em> nǐ cōngming?</span><span class="trans">Do you think everyone is an idiot? That only you are smart?</span>
+
*你 觉得 别人 都 是 傻子 吗？<em>就</em> 你 聪明 ？<span class="pinyin">Nǐ juéde biérén dōu shì shǎzi ma? <em>Jiù</em> nǐ cōngming?</span><span class="trans">Do you think everyone else is an idiot? That only you are smart?</span>
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
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In this case, the 就 comes before the verb, and what's being emphasized as "small quantity" comes after the verb, either as an object or some other kind of small quantity.
 
In this case, the 就 comes before the verb, and what's being emphasized as "small quantity" comes after the verb, either as an object or some other kind of small quantity.
  
−
=== Structure ===
+
=== Used Before the Predicate ===
 +
 
 +
==== Structure ====
  
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
−
Subj. + 就 + Predicate
+
Subj. + 就 + [Verb Phrase]
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
−
=== Examples ===
+
In this structure, the verb phrase is going to include some kind of [[measure word]].
 +
 
 +
==== Examples ====
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
−
*这 家 公司 我 <em>就</em> 认识 一 个 人。<span class="pinyin">Zhè jiā gōngsī wǒ <em>jiù</em> rènshi yī gè rén.</span><span class="trans">I only know one person in this company.</span>
+
*我 <em>就</em> 去 过 一 次 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>jiù</em> qù guo yī cì.</span><span class="trans">I've only been there once.</span>
−
*这 家 餐厅 我 <em>就</em> 来 过 一 次 。<span class="pinyin">Zhè jiā cāntīng wǒ <em>jiù</em> lái guo yī cì.</span><span class="trans">I've only been to this restaurant once.</span>
+
*我 早饭 <em>就</em> 吃 了 一 片 面包。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ zǎofàn <em>jiù</em> chī le yī piàn miànbāo.</span><span class="trans">I only had a piece of bread for breakfast.</span>
−
*她 在 我们公司 <em>就</em> 工作 了 两个 月。<span class="pinyin">Tā zài wǒmen gōngsī <em>jiù</em> gōngzuò le liǎng gè yuè.</span><span class="trans">She has worked at our company for only two months.</span>
+
*你 <em>就</em> 点 了 两 个 菜 ？<span class="pinyin">Nǐ <em>jiù</em> diǎn le liǎng gè cài?</span><span class="trans">You ordered only two dishes?</span>
−
*我 妈妈 <em>就</em> 会 说 几 句 英文 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ māma <em>jiù</em> huì shuō jǐ jù Yīngwén.</span><span class="trans">My mother can only speak a few sentences of English.</span>
+
*他 的 事 ，我们 <em>就</em> 知道 一点点 。<span class="pinyin">Tā de shì, wǒmen <em>jiù</em> zhīdào yīdiǎndiǎn.</span><span class="trans">We only know a little about his business.</span>
−
*你 怎么 <em>就</em> 点 了 这 几 个 菜？<span class="pinyin">Nǐ zěnme <em>jiù</em> diǎn le zhè jǐ gè cài?</span><span class="trans">How could you just order these few dishes?</span>
+
*她 在 我们 公司 <em>就</em> 工作 了 两个 月。<span class="pinyin">Tā zài wǒmen gōngsī <em>jiù</em> gōngzuò le liǎng gè yuè.</span><span class="trans">She has worked at our company for only two months.</span>
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
−
== Used as a Verb ==
+
== Used as "Only Have" ==
  
−
In this case, 就 means "only have," similar in meaning to [[只有]]. (In these cases, however, 就有 would not be correct, however. Just use 就.)
+
In this case, 就 means "only have," similar in meaning to [[只有]]. (In these cases, however, 就有 would not be correct. Just use 就.)
  
 
=== Structure ===
 
=== Structure ===
  
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
−
Subj. + 就 + Number + Measure Word + Noun   
+
Subj. + 就 + Number + [Measure Word] + Noun   
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
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<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
−
*为什么 这里 <em>就</em> 一 个 厕所 ？<span class="pinyin">Wèishéme zhèlǐ <em>jiù</em> yī gè cèsuǒ?</span><span class="trans">Why does this place only have one bathroom?</span>
+
*这里 <em>就</em> 一 个 厕所 ？<span class="pinyin">Zhèlǐ <em>jiù</em> yī gè cèsuǒ?</span><span class="trans">Does this place only have one bathroom?</span>
 
*你们 家 <em>就</em> 一 个 孩子 吗 ？<span class="pinyin">Nǐmen jiā <em>jiù</em> yī gè háizi ma?</span><span class="trans">Does your family only have one child?</span>
 
*你们 家 <em>就</em> 一 个 孩子 吗 ？<span class="pinyin">Nǐmen jiā <em>jiù</em> yī gè háizi ma?</span><span class="trans">Does your family only have one child?</span>
 
*我 <em>就</em> 一 个 哥哥 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>jiù</em> yī gè gēge.</span><span class="trans">I only have one brother.</span>
 
*我 <em>就</em> 一 个 哥哥 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>jiù</em> yī gè gēge.</span><span class="trans">I only have one brother.</span>
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=== Books ===
 
=== Books ===
  
−
*[[现代汉语虚词例释]] (p. 315)[http://www.amazon.cn/%E7%8E%B0%E4%BB%A3%E6%B1%89%E8%AF%AD%E5%85%AB%E7%99%BE%E8%AF%8D/dp/B004323J90/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345693275&sr=8-1 →buy]
+
{{Source|现代汉语虚词例释|315}}
−
* [[Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 2 (3rd ed)]] (pp. 175-6) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0887276709/ref%3das_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=0887276709 →buy]
+
{{Source|Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 2 (3rd ed)|175-6}}
−
* [[New Practical Chinese Reader 4 (新实用汉语课本4)]] (p. 120) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/7561913192/ref%3das_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=7561913192 →buy]
+
{{Source|New Practical Chinese Reader 4 (新实用汉语课本4)|120}}
−
* [[外国人实用汉语语法]] (p. 570)[http://www.amazon.cn/mn/detailApp?_encoding=UTF8&tag=allset-23&linkCode=as2&asin=B001J0ADWA&camp=536&creative=3132&creativeASIN=B001J0ADWA →buy]
+
{{Source|A Practical Chinese Grammar For Foreigners (外国人实用汉语语法) |570}}
  
 
=== Dictionaries ===
 
=== Dictionaries ===
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[[Category:B1 grammar points]]
 
[[Category:B1 grammar points]]
−
{{Basic Grammar|就|B1|就 + [Single Subject] + Predicate|这 件 事 <em>就</em> 我 一 个 人 知道 。|grammar point|ASGPW8PP}}
+
{{Basic Grammar|就|B1|就 + Subject + Predicate|这 件 事 <em>就</em> 我 一 个 人 知道 。|grammar point|ASGPW8PP}}
 
{{Used for|Describing actions}}
 
{{Used for|Describing actions}}
 
{{Used for|Describing things}}
 
{{Used for|Describing things}}

Latest revision as of 08:14, 26 November 2018

就 (jiù) is often translated simply as "just" or "only," but there are some nuances to how it is used.

Used as "Only"

就 can also be used to express one person or thing, similar to how we say in English "just one person" or "just one left." It is often paired with 一个 or similar in order to emphasize the small quantity.

Used Before the Subject

Structure

就 + Subj. + Predicate

The predicate part of the pattern can be a verb or an adjective.

Examples

  • 这 件 事 就 我 知道 。Zhè jiàn shì jiù wǒ zhīdào.I'm the only person that knows about this.
  • 我们 都 忘 了 ，就 他 还 记得 。Wǒmen dōu wàng le, jiù tā hái jìde.We all forgot. Only he still remembers it.
  • 大家 都 下班 了 ，就 老板 还 没 走 。Dàjiā dōu xiàbān le, jiù lǎobǎn hái méi zǒu.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 。Qítā de cài dōu hěn hǎochī, jiù zhè liǎng gè cài yǒudiǎn xián.The other dishes are great. Just these two dishes are a little salty.
  • 你 觉得 别人 都 是 傻子 吗？就 你 聪明 ？Nǐ juéde biérén dōu shì shǎzi ma? Jiù nǐ cōngming?Do you think everyone else is an idiot? That only you are smart?

In this case, the 就 comes before the verb, and what's being emphasized as "small quantity" comes after the verb, either as an object or some other kind of small quantity.

Used Before the Predicate

Structure

Subj. + 就 + [Verb Phrase]

In this structure, the verb phrase is going to include some kind of measure word.

Examples

  • 我 就 去 过 一 次 。Wǒ jiù qù guo yī cì.I've only been there once.
  • 我 早饭 就 吃 了 一 片 面包。Wǒ zǎofàn jiù chī le yī piàn miànbāo.I only had a piece of bread for breakfast.
  • 你 就 点 了 两 个 菜 ？Nǐ jiù diǎn le liǎng gè cài?You ordered only two dishes?
  • 他 的 事 ，我们 就 知道 一点点 。Tā de shì, wǒmen jiù zhīdào yīdiǎndiǎn.We only know a little about his business.
  • 她 在 我们 公司 就 工作 了 两个 月。Tā zài wǒmen gōngsī jiù gōngzuò le liǎng gè yuè.She has worked at our company for only two months.

Used as "Only Have"

In this case, 就 means "only have," similar in meaning to 只有. (In these cases, however, 就有 would not be correct. Just use 就.)

Structure

Subj. + 就 + Number + [Measure Word] + Noun

Examples

  • 这里 就 一 个 厕所 ？Zhèlǐ jiù yī gè cèsuǒ?Does this place only have one bathroom?
  • 你们 家 就 一 个 孩子 吗 ？Nǐmen jiā jiù yī gè háizi ma?Does your family only have one child?
  • 我 就 一 个 哥哥 。Wǒ jiù yī gè gēge.I only have one brother.
  • 他 在 上海 就 一 个 朋友 。Tā zài Shànghǎi jiù yī gè péngyou.He only has one friend in Shanghai.
  • 我们 公司 就 三 个 员工 。Wǒmen gōngsī jiù sān gè yuángōng.There are only three employees in our company.

See also

Sources and further reading

Books

Dictionaries

HSK4
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