Expressing "small quantity" with "jiu"

就 is often translated as simply "just", but there are some nuances to how it is used

Structure with 就 meaning "only have"

就 can mean "only, or only have". When using it you can add 只 and 只有, or you can leave it out. When using it you can add 只 and 只有, or you can leave it out.

Subject + 就 + (只) + Verb

Examples

• 我 就 只 要 两 块 钱，别 的 不 要。
• 为什么 这里 就 只 有 一 个 女 厕所，男 厕所 呢？
• 我 就 认识 一 个 中国 人。

Structure with 就 meaning "just one"

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".

就 + single things or persons

Examples

• 这 件 事 就 我 一 个 人 知道。
• 你 觉得 别人 都 是 傻子 吗？就 你 懂 得 多？
• 房间 里 就 一 张 床，一 张 桌子。

See also

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

Sources and further reading

Books

• 现代汉语虚词例释 (p. 315)→buy

Dictionaries

• 现代汉语词典（第5版） (p. 733) →buy

HSK4