Expressing "small quantity" with "jiu"
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Level
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Similar to
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Used for
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Keywords
就 is often translated as simply "just", but there are some nuances to how it is used.
Contents
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
Dictionaries
- 现代汉语词典（第5版） (p. 733) →buy
