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。
• 刚才我 在 跟 他 说话。
• 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