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". It is often paired with 一个 or something like that.

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