Adding emphasis with "jiushi"
Revision as of 03:25, 9 November 2011 by Jonathan.pope (talk | contribs)
就是 (jiùshì) can be used to add many different types of emphasis.
It can be used in the following ways:
Contents
To intensify adjectives
就是 can be used to modify an adjective to mean "really", or "really that and nothing else".
For example:
- 他 就是 聪明，考试 总是 第 一 名。
- 我 真的 什么 都 没 做，他 就是 对 我 有 偏见。
To express resoluteness
Used before a verb, this usage has the feeling that the speaker is being stubborn and is unwilling to change their mind.
- 我 老公 就是 爱 抽烟，他 根本 戒 不了!
- 我 就是 不 去，我 一向 都 不 爱 去 酒吧。
- 他 就是 不 相信 星座，你 怎么 跟 他 解释 也 没 用。
To limit the scope of verbs and adjectives
就是 can be used before verbs and adjectives to emphasize to limit the scope of what the speaker is talking about, eliminating other options. This is a bit like "only", or "just" in English. This is quite similar to the first usage.
Some examples:
- 警察，你 看 你 看，就是 他，你 快 点 去 抓！(Emphasizing that the thief is him and no one else)
- 所有 的 人 都 准时 到 了，就是 小 杨 迟到 了。 (Emphasizing that only 小杨 was late, everyone else was on time)
- 我 对 别 人 没有 什么 印象，就是 对 你 印象 深刻。(Emphasizing that it was only you which made an impression on me)
Sources and further reading
Websites
http://baike.baidu.com/view/546642.htm http://www.nciku.com/search/zh/detail/%E5%B0%B1%E6%98%AF/1308257
