Adding emphasis with "jiushi"
]]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".
Structure
就是 + adjective
Examples
- 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。
- 她 就是 漂亮，没什么 别的 优点。
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.
Structure
就是 + verb
Examples
- 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 limit the scope of what the speaker is talking about, eliminating options in order to focus in on something. This is a bit like "only", or "just" in English. This is quite similar to the first usage.
Structure
就是+focus
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)
See also
Sources and further reading
Books
Websites
http://baike.baidu.com/view/546642.htm http://www.nciku.com/search/zh/detail/%E5%B0%B1%E6%98%AF/1308257
