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 家 公司 才 三 个 员工 。Zhè jiā gōngsī cái sān gè yuángōng. This company only has three employees.
• 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 来 上海 不到 两个 月。Wǒ cái lái shànghǎi bùdào liǎnggè yuè.I've only been in Shanghai for less than two months.
• 工作 才做 了 一半。Gōngzuò cái zuòle yībàn.Only half of the work has been done.
• 他们 认识 才 三 个 星期 就 结婚 了。 Tāmen rènshi cái sāngè xīngqī jiù jiéhūn le.They only knew each other for three weeks before they got married.

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