Using "cai" for small numbers

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

Structure

才 + (Verb) + Number + Measure Word + Noun

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

这家公司才三个员工。Zhè jiā gōngsī cái sān gè yuángōng. This company only has three employees.
我一个月工资才两千。 Wǒ yī gè yuè gōngzī cái liǎng qiān. My monthly salary is only two thousand RMB.
她儿子才三个月大。 Tā érzi cái sān gè yuè dà. Her son is only two-month-old.
我来上海才两个月。Wǒ lái Shànghǎi cái liǎng gè yuè. I've only been in Shanghai for two months.
你才吃一个包子？Nǐ cái chī yī gè bāozi? You only ate one baizi?
我们才看完一页。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.