Expressing "just now" with "gangcai"

In order to say that something "just now" occurred, use the time noun 刚才 (gāngcái). It can be placed in front of the verb or the subject of a statement.

Structure

This grammar structure is pretty straightforward. Similar to the English "just now," you put it right before the verb.

刚才 + Verb

Examples

• 不好意思，我刚才出去了。I'm sorry, I just now stepped out.
• 刚才下雨了，现在不下了。It was just now raining, now it's not.
• 她刚才笑了。She just now laughed.

See also

• Comparing "gang" and "gangcai"
• Explaining results with "suoyi"
• Cause and effect with "yinwei" and "suoyi"
• Stating the effect before the cause (advanced article)

Sources and further reading

Books

• 现代汉语八百词（增订本） (pp. 217)→buy