Difference between revisions of "Comparing "gang" and "gangcai""

 
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{{Grammar Box}}  
 
{{Grammar Box}}  
  
刚 (gāng) and 刚才 (gāngcái) are similar, but they have somewhat different uses.
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刚 (gāng) and 刚才 (gāngcái) have similar meanings of "[[just]] (now)," but they differ on a few key uses.
  
== 刚 as "Just happened" ==
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== 刚 as "Just Happened" ==
  
刚 is actually an adverb, and it is placed in front of the verb. It emphasizes that the action ''just'' happened a short time ago. It is similar to the English "just."
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刚 is actually an [[adverb]], and it is placed in front of the verb. It emphasizes that the action ''just'' happened a short time ago. Unsurprisingly, it is similar to the English "just." 刚刚 and 刚 are interchangeable in this case.
  
The key here is that a short time ago is relative, and determined by the speaker. For this reason, 刚 can indicate that something "just" happened 1 second ago, 5 minutes ago, 2 hours ago, 3 weeks ago, or even a year ago. The absolute time is flexible, but from the speaker's perspective, it ''feels'' recent.
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The key here is that "a short time ago" is relative and determined by the speaker. For this reason, 刚 can indicate that something "just" happened 1 second ago, 5 minutes ago, 2 hours ago, 3 weeks ago, or even a year ago. The absolute time is flexible, but from the speaker's perspective, it ''feels'' recent.
  
A few examples:
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=== 刚 Before a Verb ===
 
 
<div class="liju">
 
  
*他 <em>刚</em> 到 。<span class="expl">This gives the impression that not only did he just get here, but he should still be here.</span><span class="pinyin">Tā <em>gāng</em> dào.</span><span class="trans">He just arrived.</span>
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One thing that confuses a lot of learners is that when you use 刚 with a verb, ''you normally don't need 了''. Keep that in mind while reading the following examples, and look for the explanation below.
*我们 昨天 <em>刚</em> 见 过 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒmen zuótiān <em>gāng</em> jiàn guo.</span><span class="trans">We just saw each other yesterday.</span>
 
*真不巧 ,老板 <em>刚</em> 走 。<span class="pinyin">Zhēn bùqiǎo, lǎobǎn <em>gāng</em> zǒu.</span><span class="trans">What a bad coincidence. The boss just left.</span>
 
</div>
 
 
 
== 刚才 as "Just Now" ==
 
 
 
刚才 is a [[time noun]] (like 今天 and 现在), and it expresses that the time that has passed is really short, in near-absolute terms.  We're talking no more than 1-30 minutes, in most situations. If it is placed before the verb, it emphasizes what happened in the time that has just passed. It is similar to the English "'''just now'''."
 
  
 
A few examples:
 
A few examples:
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<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
*他 <em>刚才</em> 来 过 。<span class="expl">In this case, he's come and gone already. He's not here anymore.</span><span class="pinyin">Tā <em> gāngcái</em> lái guo.</span><span class="trans">He came just now.</span>
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<ul>
*我 <em>刚才</em> 看到 他 了。<span class="expl">Sounds like he's not here anymore; I just saw him, but don't see him now.</span><span class="pinyin"><em> gāngcái</em> kàndào tā le.</span><span class="trans">I just now saw him.</span>
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<li class="o">他 <em></em> 。<span class="expl">This gives the impression that not only did he just get here, but he should still be here.</span><span class="pinyin">Tā <em>gāng</em> dào.</span><span class="trans">He just arrived.</span>
*我 现在 感觉 比 <em>刚才</em> 好 一点 。 <span class="pinyin">Wǒ xiànzài gǎnjué bǐ <em>gāngcái</em> hǎo yīdiǎn.</span><span class="trans">I feel a little better now than just before.</span>
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<li class="o">我们 昨天 <em>刚</em> 到 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒmen zuótiān <em>gāng</em> dào.</span><span class="trans">We just arrived yesterday.</span>
 +
<li class="o">真 不巧 ,老板 <em></em> 。<span class="pinyin">Zhēn bùqiǎo, lǎobǎn <em>gāng</em> zǒu.</span><span class="trans">What bad timing. The boss just left.</span>
 +
</ul>
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
刚才, as a time noun, can directly modify a noun to indicate it is that one from "just now" or "just before," while 刚 can't be used this way.
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It would be wrong to use 刚才 instead:
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
 
<ul>
 
<ul>
<li class="x"><em></em> <strong>的 事情</strong> 太 让 人 生气 了 。<span class="pinyin"><em>Gāng</em> <strong>de shìqing</strong> tài ràng rén shēngqì le.</span><span class="trans">What just happened is really upsetting.</span></li>
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<li class="x"><em>刚才</em> 。<span class="pinyin"><em>gāngcái</em> dào.</span></li>
<li class="x"><em></em> <strong>的 态度</strong> 很 差 。<span class="pinyin">Tā <em>gāng</em> <strong>de tàidu</strong> hěn chà.</span><span class="trans">The attitude that he just showed is bad.</span></li>
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<li class="x">我们 昨天 <em>刚才</em> 。<span class="expl">刚才 should be used for events a lot closer in time than 昨天.</span><span class="pinyin">Wǒmen zuótiān <em>gāngcái</em> dào.</span></li>
<li class="o"><em>刚才</em> <strong>的 事情</strong> 太 让 人 生气 了 。<span class="pinyin"><em>Gāngcái</em> <strong>de shìqing</strong> tài ràng rén shēngqì le.</span><span class="trans">What just happened is really upsetting.</span></li>
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<li class="x">真 不巧 ,老板 <em>刚才</em> 。<span class="pinyin">Zhēn bùqiǎo, lǎobǎn <em>gāngcái</em> zǒu.</span></li>
<li class="o"><em>刚才</em> <strong>的 态度</strong> 很 差 。<span class="pinyin"><em>gāngcái</em> <strong>de tàidu</strong> hěn chà.</span><span class="trans">The attitude that he just showed is bad.</span></li>
 
 
</ul>
 
</ul>
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
 +
And if you mean to say "when I first arrived in Shanghai," use 刚 instead of 刚才:
 +
 +
<div class="liju">
 +
*我 <em>刚</em> 到 上海 的 时候 ,谁 都 不 认识 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>gāng</em> dào Shànghǎi de shíhou, shéi dōu bù rènshi.</span><span class="trans">I didn't know anyone when I had just arrived in Shanghai.</span>
 +
</div>
 +
 +
=== 刚 or 刚刚 Before an Adjective ===
  
In this case, 刚刚 and 刚 are interchangeable.
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刚, as an adverb, can also be placed in front of an adjective, while 刚才 can't be used this way. 刚 can also be used interchangeably with 刚刚.
  
 
A few examples:
 
A few examples:
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<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
*<em></em> 。<span class="pinyin">Tiān <em>gāng</em> qíng.</span><span class="trans">The sky just cleared up.</span>
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*他 的 感冒 <em>刚刚</em> 。<span class="pinyin">Tā de gǎnmào <em>gānggāng</em> hǎo.</span><span class="trans">He just recovered from his cold.</span>
*他 的 感冒 <em>刚</em> 。<span class="pinyin">Tā de gǎnmào <em>gāng</em> hǎo.</span><span class="trans">He just recovered from his cold.</span>
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*<em>刚</em> 。<span class="pinyin">Tiān <em>gāng</em> qíng.</span><span class="trans">The sky just became clear.</span>
*面包 <em>刚</em> 熟 , 过 一会儿 再 吃 。 <span class="pinyin">Miànbāo <em>gāng</em> shóu, guò yīhuìr zài chī.</span><span class="trans">The bread just got done cooking. Eat in a little bit.</span>
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*牛肉 <em>刚</em> 熟 。 <span class="pinyin">Niúròu <em>gāng</em> shú.</span><span class="trans">The beef just got cooked.</span>
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
== 刚 and 刚才 with 了 ==
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== 刚才 as "Just Now" ==
  
You may have noticed that something interesting is going on with regards to [[]] in the sentences with 刚 and 刚才. Namely, is not usually required in sentences with 刚, but it is usually required in sentences with 刚才This is because 刚才 refers to a time in the recent past, and you're usually indicated that something happened just now (started and finished).
+
刚才 is a [[time noun]] (like 今天 and 现在), and it expresses that the time elapsed is really short, in near-absolute termsWe're talking no more than 1-30 minutes in most situations, and often less than 5 minutes. When used before a verb, 刚才 emphasizes something happened "''just now''."
  
Take these sentences for example:
+
A few examples:
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
* 我 昨天 买 了 。<span class="trans">I bought it yesterday.</span>
 
* 我 刚才 买 了 。<span class="trans">I bought it just now.</span>
 
* 我 明天 买 。<span class="trans">I'll buy it tomorrow.</span>
 
</div>
 
  
So these are all simple time "noun + verb" sentences. Notice that when they refer to the ''past'' (including the one with 刚才), the action is completed and you need 了.  You don't need 了 for things that haven't happened yet (they're just plans, and nothing is completed). And remember that 刚才 ''always refers to the past''.
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*他 <em>刚才</em> 哭 <strong>了</strong> 。<span class="expl">He was crying a moment ago but he stopped.</span><span class="pinyin">Tā <em>gāngcái</em> kū <strong>le</strong>.</span><span class="trans">He was crying just now.</span>
 +
*我 <em>刚才</em> 看到 他 <strong>了</strong> 。<span class="expl">Sounds like he's not here anymore; I just saw him, but don't see him now.</span><span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>gāngcái</em> kàndào tā <strong>le</strong>.</span><span class="trans">I just now saw him.</span>
 +
*现在 我 感觉 比 <em>刚才</em> 好 一点 <strong>了</strong> 。<span class="pinyin">Xiànzài wǒ gǎnjué bǐ <em>gāngcái</em> hǎo yīdiǎn <strong>le</strong>.</span><span class="trans">I feel a little better now than just before.</span>
  
OK, now what about 刚?  Why does it not need 了?
+
</div>
  
The key is that you don't need a 了 in a sentence with 刚 if the verb indicates a clear result. So, to use the 买 example from above:
+
刚才, as a time noun, can directly modify a noun to indicate it is that one from "just now" or "just before," while 刚 can't be used this way.  
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
 +
 
<ul>
 
<ul>
<li class="x"><em>刚</em> <strong></strong> 。<span class="expl">The verb 买 is kind of like "try to buy"; there is no clear indication of result.</span><span class="trans">I just buy it.</span></li>
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<li class="x"><em>刚</em> <strong>的 事情</strong> 太 让 人 生气 了 。<span class="pinyin"><em>Gāng</em> <strong>de shìqing</strong> tài ràng rén shēngqì le.</span><span class="trans">What just happened is really upsetting.</span></li>
<li class="o">我 <em></em> <strong>买到</strong> 。<span class="expl">Adding 到 to the verb gives a clear indication of result.</span><span class="trans">I just bought it.</span></li>
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<li class="o"><em>刚才</em> <strong>的 事情</strong> 太 让 人 生气 了 。<span class="pinyin"><em>Gāngcái</em> <strong>de shìqing</strong> tài ràng rén shēngqì le.</span><span class="trans">What just happened is really upsetting.</span></li>
<li class="o"><em></em> <strong>买 了</strong> 。<span class="expl">Adding after the verb also gives a clear indication of result.</span><span class="trans">I just bought it.</span></li>
 
<li class="o">你 也 <em>刚</em> <strong>知道</strong> 吗 ? <span class="expl">The verb 知道 always includes the result of "knowing."</span><span class="trans">You also just found out?</span></li>
 
<li class="x">妈妈 <em>刚</em> <strong>看</strong> 。<span class="expl">No clear indication of result.</span><span class="trans">Mom just look.</span></li>
 
<li class="o">妈妈 <em>刚</em> <strong>看到</strong> 。<span class="expl">Adding 到 to the verb gives a clear indication of result.</span><span class="trans">Mom just saw it.</span></li>
 
<li class="o">妈妈 <em></em> <strong>看 了</strong> 。<span class="expl">Adding 了 to the verb gives a clear indication of result.</span><span class="trans">Mom just looked at it.</span></li>
 
 
</ul>
 
</ul>
 +
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
== 刚 and 刚才 with ==
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== 刚 and 刚才 with ==
  
OK, so there's also something going on with [[]] in sentences with 刚 and 刚才. The deal here is that you can say something ''didn't happen '''just now''''' (刚才), but you can't say that something '''''just''' didn't happen'' (). [Saying that something "just didn't happen" only works in English if you interpret "just" to mean "simply."]
+
You may have noticed that something interesting is going on with regards to [[]] in the sentences with 刚 and 刚才. Namely, 了 is not usually required in sentences with 刚, but it is usually required in sentences with 刚才. This is because 刚才 refers to a time in the ''recent past'', and you're usually indicated that something ''happened just now'' (started and finished).
  
The takeaway?  Just don't use 刚 in sentences where you use 没 to negate the past.
+
Take these sentences for example:
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
<ul>
+
*昨天 看 了 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ zuótiān kàn le.</span><span class="trans">I looked at it yesterday.</span>
<li class="x"><em>刚</em> <strong>没 去</strong> 。<span class="expl">Don't use 刚 with 没 in the past.</span><span class="trans">I just didn't go.</span></li>
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*我 <em>刚才</em> 看 了 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ gāngcái kàn le.</span><span class="trans">I looked at it just now.</span>
<li class="o">我 <em>刚才</em> <strong>没 去</strong> 。<span class="expl">It's fine to use 刚才 with 没 in the past.</span><span class="trans">I didn't go just now.</span></li>
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</div>
  
<li class="x">她 <em>刚</em> <strong>没 问</strong> 我 这个 问题 。<span class="expl">Don't use 刚 with 没 in the past.</span><span class="trans">She just didn't ask me this question.</span></li>
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So these are both simple "subject + verb" sentences. Notice that when they refer to the ''past'' (including the one with 刚才), the action is completed and you need 了. You don't need 了 for things that haven't happened yet (they're just plans, and nothing is completed). And remember that 刚才 ''always refers to the past.''
<li class="o">她 <em>刚才</em> <strong>没 问</strong> 我 这个 问题 。<span class="expl">It's fine to use 刚才 with 没 in the past.</span><span class="trans">She didn't ask me this question just now.</span></li>
 
  
<li class="x">我 <em></em> <strong>没 喝</strong> 你的 啤酒 。<span class="expl">Don't use with 没 in the past.</span><span class="trans">I just didn't drink your beer.</span></li>
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OK, now what about ? ''Why does it not need 了?'' The key is that you don't need a 了 in a sentence with if the verb ''already indicates a clear result''. So, to use the 看 example from above:
<li class="o">我 <em>刚才</em> <strong>没 喝</strong> 你的 啤酒 。<span class="expl">It's fine to use 刚才 with 没 in the past.</span><span class="trans">I didn't drink your beer just now.</span></li>
 
  
<li class="x">我 <em>刚</em> <strong>不 知道</strong> 。<span class="expl">OK, so it's not 没, but you still shouldn't use 刚 for something that didn't happen.</span><span class="trans">I just didn't know.</span></li>
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<div class="liju">
<li class="o">我 <em>刚才</em> <strong>不 知道</strong> 。<span class="expl">It's fine to use 刚才 with exceptions where you use 不 in the past.</span><span class="trans">Just now I didn't know.</span></li>
 
  
 +
<ul>
 +
<li class="o">我 <em>刚</em> <strong>看到</strong> 。<span class="expl">Adding a 到 to 看 gives the verb a meaning of the result of "looking at."</span><span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>gāng</em> <strong>kàndào</strong>.</span><span class="trans">I just saw it.</span></li>
 +
<li class="x">我 <em>刚</em> 看到 <strong>了</strong> 。<span class="expl">了 is not needed here as 看到 includes the result of "looking at."</span><span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>gāng</em> kàndào <strong>le</strong>.</span><span class="trans">I just saw it.</span></li>
 +
<li class="o">我 <em>刚才</em> 看到 <strong>了</strong> 。<span class="expl">了 is needed with 刚才 because it feels so recent and unresolved.</span><span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>gāngcái</em> kàndào <strong>le</strong>.</span><span class="trans">I saw it just now.</span></li>
 
</ul>
 
</ul>
 +
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
For that last pair of sentences, if you're not clear why it's OK to use [[不]] with 知道 in the past, go ahead and check out our article on [[comparing "bu" and "mei"|the differences between 不 and 没]].  It goes beyond the basics into some of the trickier scenarios.
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A few more examples:
  
== Right or Wrong ==
+
<div class="liju">
 
 
=== Examples ===
 
  
<div class="liju">
 
 
<ul>
 
<ul>
<li class="x"><em>刚才</em> 。<span class="expl">You should use 了 with 刚才 here.</span><span class="trans">He just left.</span></li>
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<li class="o"><em></em> <strong>到</strong> 。<span class="expl">The verb 到 includes a clear result.</span><span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>gāng</em> <strong>dào</strong>.</span><span class="trans">I just arrived.</span></li>
<li class="o"><em>刚</em> 走。<span class="trans">He just left.</span></li>
+
<li class="o">你 <em>刚</em> <strong>知道</strong> 吗 ?<span class="expl">The verb 知道 always includes the result of "knowing."</span><span class="pinyin">Nǐ <em>gāng</em>
 +
<strong>zhīdào</strong> ma?</span><span class="trans">You just found out?</span></li>
 +
<li class="o">宝宝 <em>刚</em> <strong>醒</strong> 。<span class="pinyin">Bǎobao <em>gāng</em> <strong>xǐng</strong>.</span><span class="expl">The verb 醒 includes a clear enough indication of result.</span><span class="trans">The baby just woke up.</span></li>
 
</ul>
 
</ul>
 +
 
</div>
 
</div>
 +
 +
== 刚 and 刚才 with 没 ==
 +
 +
There's also something going on with [[没]] in sentences with 刚 and 刚才. The deal here is that you can say something ''didn't happen '''just now''''' (刚才), but you can't say that something '''''just''' didn't happen'' (刚). [Saying that something "just didn't happen" only works in English if you interpret "just" to mean "simply."]
 +
 +
The takeaway? Just don't use 刚 in sentences where you use 没 to negate the past.
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
 +
 
<ul>
 
<ul>
<li class="o"><em>刚才</em> 没 听懂 我 的 话 。<span class="expl">No need to use with 没.</span><span class="trans">He didn't understand what I said just now.</span></li>
+
<li class="x"><em></em> <strong>没</strong> 看到 <span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>gāng</em> <strong>méi</strong> kàndào.</span><span class="expl">Don't use with 没 in the past.</span><span class="trans">I just didn't see it.</span></li>
<li class="x"><em>刚</em> 没 听懂 我 的 话 。<span class="expl">刚 doesn't work with 没.</span><span class="trans">He just didn't understand what I said.</span></li>
+
<li class="x"><em>刚</em> <strong>没</strong> 听懂 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>gāng</em> <strong>méi</strong> tīngdǒng.</span><span class="trans">I didn't understand just now.</span></li>
 
</ul>
 
</ul>
 +
 
</div>
 
</div>
 +
 +
Use 没 with 刚才 (and no 了) to negate the past.
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
 +
 
<ul>
 
<ul>
<li class="x">昨天 他 <em>刚才</em> 来 过 。<span class="expl">刚才 should be used for events a lot closer in time than 昨天.</span><span class="trans">He just now came yesterday.</span></li>
+
<li class="o"><em>刚才</em> <strong>没</strong> 看到 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>gāngcái</em> <strong>méi</strong> kàndào.</span><span class="trans">I didn't see it just now.</span></li>
<li class="o">昨天 他 <em></em> 来 过 。<span class="expl">刚 works with 昨天.</span><span class="trans">He just came yesterday.</span></li>
+
<li class="o"><em>刚才</em> <strong>没</strong> 听懂 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>gāngcái</em> <strong>méi</strong> tīngdǒng.</span><span class="trans">I didn't understand just now.</span></li>
 
</ul>
 
</ul>
</div>
 
  
<div class="liju">
 
<ul>
 
<li class="o">我 <em>刚</em> 听说 这 个 消息。<span class="expl">The verb 听说 includes a clear enough indication of result.</span><span class="trans">I just heard this news.</span></li>
 
<li class="o">我 <em>刚才</em> 听说 了 这 个 消息 。<span class="expl">You should use 了 with 刚才 here.</span><span class="trans">I heard this news just now.</span></li>
 
</ul>
 
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
== Example dialog ==
+
== Example Dialog ==
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
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<ul class="dialog">
 
<ul class="dialog">
 
<li><span class="speaker">A:</span> 你 <em>刚才</em> 去 哪儿 了 ?<span class="pinyin">Nǐ <em>gāngcái</em> qù nǎr le?</span><span class="trans">Where did you go just now?</span></li>
 
<li><span class="speaker">A:</span> 你 <em>刚才</em> 去 哪儿 了 ?<span class="pinyin">Nǐ <em>gāngcái</em> qù nǎr le?</span><span class="trans">Where did you go just now?</span></li>
<li><span class="speaker">B:</span> 我 去 上厕所 了 。<em>刚</em> 回来 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ qù shàng cèsuǒ le. <em>Gāng</em> huílái.</span><span class="trans">I went to the bathroom. I just got back.</span></li>
+
<li><span class="speaker">B:</span> 我 去 上 厕所 了 。<em>刚</em> 回来 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ qù shàng cèsuǒ le. <em>Gāng</em> huílái.</span><span class="trans">I went to the bathroom. I just got back.</span></li>
<li><span class="speaker">A:</span> 那 你 不 知道 <em>刚才</em> 的 事情 吧 ?<span class="pinyin">Nà nǐ bù zhīdào <em>gāngcái</em> de shìqing ba?</span><span class="trans">Then you don't know what happened just now?</span></li>
 
<li><span class="speaker">B:</span> 是 不 是 有人 吵架 了?<span class="pinyin">Shì bù shì yǒurén chǎojià le?</span><span class="trans">Did some people have an argument?</span></li>
 
 
</ul>
 
</ul>
  
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=== Books ===
 
=== Books ===
  
 +
{{Source|HSK Standard Course 3|50}}
 
{{Source|现代汉语八百词(增订本)|216}}
 
{{Source|现代汉语八百词(增订本)|216}}
 
{{Source|现代汉语虚词例释|190}}
 
{{Source|现代汉语虚词例释|190}}
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=== Dictionaries ===
 
=== Dictionaries ===
  
 +
{{Source|HSK Standard Course 4上|6}}
 
{{Source|现代汉语词典(第5版)|446}}
 
{{Source|现代汉语词典(第5版)|446}}
  
 
[[Category:grammar comparison]]
 
[[Category:grammar comparison]]
{{Basic Grammar|刚|B1|刚 vs. 刚才|你 <em>刚才</em> 去 哪儿 了?我  <em>刚</em> 上 完 厕所。|grammar point|ASGJFFWG}}
+
{{HSK|HSK3}}
 +
{{HSK|HSK4}}
 +
{{Basic Grammar|刚|B1|刚 vs. 刚才|你 <em>刚才</em> 去 哪儿 了?我  <em>刚</em> 回来 。|grammar point|ASGJFFWG}}
 
{{Rel char|刚才}}
 
{{Rel char|刚才}}
 
{{Similar|"Just now" with "gangcai"}}
 
{{Similar|"Just now" with "gangcai"}}
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{{Used for|Expressing time and date}}
 
{{Used for|Expressing time and date}}
 
{{Translation|just}}
 
{{Translation|just}}
 +
{{Translation|just now}}
 
{{Comparison|Adverbs}}
 
{{Comparison|Adverbs}}

Latest revision as of 00:21, 14 April 2023

刚 (gāng) and 刚才 (gāngcái) have similar meanings of "just (now)," but they differ on a few key uses.

刚 as "Just Happened"

刚 is actually an adverb, and it is placed in front of the verb. It emphasizes that the action just happened a short time ago. Unsurprisingly, it is similar to the English "just." 刚刚 and 刚 are interchangeable in this case.

The key here is that "a short time ago" is relative and determined by the speaker. For this reason, 刚 can indicate that something "just" happened 1 second ago, 5 minutes ago, 2 hours ago, 3 weeks ago, or even a year ago. The absolute time is flexible, but from the speaker's perspective, it feels recent.

刚 Before a Verb

One thing that confuses a lot of learners is that when you use 刚 with a verb, you normally don't need 了. Keep that in mind while reading the following examples, and look for the explanation below.

A few examples:

  • 到 。This gives the impression that not only did he just get here, but he should still be here.gāng dào.He just arrived.
  • 我们 昨天 到 。Wǒmen zuótiān gāng dào.We just arrived yesterday.
  • 真 不巧 ,老板 走 。Zhēn bùqiǎo, lǎobǎn gāng zǒu.What bad timing. The boss just left.

It would be wrong to use 刚才 instead:

  • 刚才 到 。gāngcái dào.
  • 我们 昨天 刚才 到 。刚才 should be used for events a lot closer in time than 昨天.Wǒmen zuótiān gāngcái dào.
  • 真 不巧 ,老板 刚才 走 。Zhēn bùqiǎo, lǎobǎn gāngcái zǒu.

And if you mean to say "when I first arrived in Shanghai," use 刚 instead of 刚才:

  • 到 上海 的 时候 ,谁 都 不 认识 。gāng dào Shànghǎi de shíhou, shéi dōu bù rènshi.I didn't know anyone when I had just arrived in Shanghai.

刚 or 刚刚 Before an Adjective

刚, as an adverb, can also be placed in front of an adjective, while 刚才 can't be used this way. 刚 can also be used interchangeably with 刚刚.

A few examples:

  • 他 的 感冒 刚刚 好 。Tā de gǎnmào gānggāng hǎo.He just recovered from his cold.
  • 晴 。Tiān gāng qíng.The sky just became clear.
  • 牛肉 熟 。 Niúròu gāng shú.The beef just got cooked.

刚才 as "Just Now"

刚才 is a time noun (like 今天 and 现在), and it expresses that the time elapsed is really short, in near-absolute terms. We're talking no more than 1-30 minutes in most situations, and often less than 5 minutes. When used before a verb, 刚才 emphasizes something happened "just now."

A few examples:

  • 刚才He was crying a moment ago but he stopped.gāngcáile.He was crying just now.
  • 刚才 看到 他 Sounds like he's not here anymore; I just saw him, but don't see him now.gāngcái kàndào tā le.I just now saw him.
  • 现在 我 感觉 比 刚才 好 一点 Xiànzài wǒ gǎnjué bǐ gāngcái hǎo yīdiǎn le.I feel a little better now than just before.

刚才, as a time noun, can directly modify a noun to indicate it is that one from "just now" or "just before," while 刚 can't be used this way.

  • 的 事情 太 让 人 生气 了 。Gāng de shìqing tài ràng rén shēngqì le.What just happened is really upsetting.
  • 刚才 的 事情 太 让 人 生气 了 。Gāngcái de shìqing tài ràng rén shēngqì le.What just happened is really upsetting.

刚 and 刚才 with 了

You may have noticed that something interesting is going on with regards to in the sentences with 刚 and 刚才. Namely, 了 is not usually required in sentences with 刚, but it is usually required in sentences with 刚才. This is because 刚才 refers to a time in the recent past, and you're usually indicated that something happened just now (started and finished).

Take these sentences for example:

  • 我 昨天 看 了 。Wǒ zuótiān kàn le.I looked at it yesterday.
  • 刚才 看 了 。Wǒ gāngcái kàn le.I looked at it just now.

So these are both simple "subject + verb" sentences. Notice that when they refer to the past (including the one with 刚才), the action is completed and you need 了. You don't need 了 for things that haven't happened yet (they're just plans, and nothing is completed). And remember that 刚才 always refers to the past.

OK, now what about 刚? Why does it not need 了? The key is that you don't need a 了 in a sentence with 刚 if the verb already indicates a clear result. So, to use the 看 example from above:

  • 看到Adding a 到 to 看 gives the verb a meaning of the result of "looking at."gāng kàndào.I just saw it.
  • 看到 了 is not needed here as 看到 includes the result of "looking at."gāng kàndào le.I just saw it.
  • 刚才 看到 了 is needed with 刚才 because it feels so recent and unresolved.gāngcái kàndào le.I saw it just now.

A few more examples:

  • The verb 到 includes a clear result.gāng dào.I just arrived.
  • 知道 吗 ?The verb 知道 always includes the result of "knowing."gāng zhīdào ma?You just found out?
  • 宝宝 Bǎobao gāng xǐng.The verb 醒 includes a clear enough indication of result.The baby just woke up.

刚 and 刚才 with 没

There's also something going on with in sentences with 刚 and 刚才. The deal here is that you can say something didn't happen just now (刚才), but you can't say that something just didn't happen (刚). [Saying that something "just didn't happen" only works in English if you interpret "just" to mean "simply."]

The takeaway? Just don't use 刚 in sentences where you use 没 to negate the past.

  • 看到 。gāng méi kàndào.Don't use 刚 with 没 in the past.I just didn't see it.
  • 听懂 。gāng méi tīngdǒng.I didn't understand just now.

Use 没 with 刚才 (and no 了) to negate the past.

  • 刚才 看到 。gāngcái méi kàndào.I didn't see it just now.
  • 刚才 听懂 。gāngcái méi tīngdǒng.I didn't understand just now.

Example Dialog

  • A:刚才 去 哪儿 了 ?gāngcái qù nǎr le?Where did you go just now?
  • B: 我 去 上 厕所 了 。 回来 。Wǒ qù shàng cèsuǒ le. Gāng huílái.I went to the bathroom. I just got back.

See also

Sources and further reading

Books

Dictionaries