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.
• 刚才我不在这里。
• 你刚才去哪儿了？
• 刚才我看到了我的前女友。
• 我刚才想吃冰淇淋，现在不想吃了。
• 我刚才听到了一件有意思的事。
• 刚才的事，是我的错。
• 刚才一个女孩儿来这里找你。

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