Expressing indifference with "jiu"
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Level
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Similar to
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Used for
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Keywords
One of the many uses of 就 (jiù) is to add emphasis to indifference. This is similar to when we say in English "if you want to do it, then just do it!" and swapping out the "do" in that sentence for some other verb.
Contents
Affirmative Form
If you've learned to express "as one likes" with 就, then this pattern should feel familiar. It has a very different tone, however, better suited to higher-level learners.
Structure
Verb + 就 + Verb
This structure will usually add emphasis to what are saying, and it often expresses that the speaker has an "I don't care" attitude.
Examples
- 坏了 就 坏了 ，再 买 新的 。If it's broken, leave it there. We can buy a new one.
- 走 就 走 ，我 早就 不 想 干 了 ！Sure, I'll leave. I wanted to quit a long time ago!
- 反对 就 反对 ，我 不 在乎 。If they oppose it, let them oppose it. I don't care.
- 赌 就 赌 ，谁 怕 谁 ？If you want to take a bet, let's take a bet. You think you scare me?
- 离婚 就 离婚 ，我 早就 想 离 了 ！If you want to get a divorce, let's do it. I wanted to do this a long time ago!
Negative Form
Structure
不 / 没 + Adj. / Verb + 就 + 不 / 没 + Adj. / Verb
Examples
- 他 没 来 就 没 来 ，我 一个人 可以 搞定 。It's fine that he didn't show up. I can handle it by myself.
- 她 不 高兴 就 不 高兴 ，不 是 我 的 错 。If she's unhappy, she's unhappy. It's not like it's my fault.
- 不 吃 就 不 吃 ，你 以为 我 很 想 吃 啊 ？I will stop eating if you're asking me to. You think I really want to eat it?
- 不 帮 就 不 帮 ，我 又 不是 只有 你 一个 朋友 ！Don't help if you don't want. You're not the only friend that I've got.
- 你们 不 懂 就 不 懂 ，我 说 那么 多 也 没 用 。It's fine that you don't really understand. There's no point me telling you so much.
See also
- Comparing "cai" and "jiu"
- Events in quick succession with "yi... jiu"
- Expressing earliness with "jiu"
- Limiting scope with "jiu"
- "If…, then…" with "ruguo…, jiu…"
Sources and further reading
- 现代汉语八百词 (pp. 316-317) 卓越汉语－公司实战篇 →buy
