Expressing lateness with "cai"

\r\nOne of the ways to express lateness in Chinese is with 才 (cái).\r\n== Structure ==\r\nTo express that something happened later than expected, you can use 才. \r\n

\r\nSubject + Time + 才 + Verb + Object\r\n

\r\nIn English this might be expressed with "as late as" or "not until". This form is often used with a time number of some sort, like a specific time, age etc.\r\n== Examples ==\r\n

\r\n* 我们 十点 上课，可是 他 十点一刻 才 来。We have class at 10 o'clock, but he didn't come until 10:15.

• 昨天 晚上 我的 女儿 一点半 才 回家。My daughter didn't get home until 1:30 last night.
• 他 二十五岁 才 大学毕业。He didn't graduate from college until he was 25.\r\n

\r\nNote that verbs following 才 cannot take 了，as the action does not have the sense of being completed. So, in the above situation, it is wrong to say:\r\n

\r\n

昨天 晚上 我的 女儿 一点半 才 回家 了 。

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\r\n==See also==\r\n* Expressing earliness with "jiu"

• Comparing "cai" and "jiu"\r\n== Sources and further reading ==\r\n=== Books ===\r\n* Basic Patterns of Chinese Grammar (pp. 117-8) →buy
• Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 1 (3rd ed) (pp. 139) →buy
• 40 Lessons for Basic Chinese Course (基础汉语40课上册） (p. 239)→buy\r\n=== Websites ===\r\n* East Asia Student: 就 and 才 in Mandarin: as early as, not until\r\n\r\n