Using "cai" for small numbers

The character 才 (cái) can be used to emphasize that a number is small, or less than expected.

Structure

Subject + 才 + （verb）+ Number + Measure Word + Noun

In English, we often express this by using "only" or "just" to emphasize that the number is small.

Examples

• 这个 办公室 才 五个 人。Zhè ge bàngōngshì cái wǔ gè rén.This office only has five people.
• 电影院 里才 八 九 个 人。Diànyǐngyuàn lǐ cái bājiǔ gè rén.There are only eight or nine people in the theater.
• 我 才工作 了 一 个 月。Wǒ cái gōngzuòle yīgè yuè.I've only been working for a month.
• 工作 才做 了 一半。Gōngzuò cái zuòle yībàn.Only half of the work has been done.
• 他 早饭 才吃 了 一 个 蛋糕。Tā zǎofàn cái chīle yīgè dàngāo.He only ate a cake for breakfast.

See Also

• "Just" with "jiu"
• Comparing "cai" and "jiu"
• Expressing lateness with "cai"

Sources and Further Readings

Books

• Integrated Chinese: Level 2, Part 1 (p. 302) →buy