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" ==
+
== 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." 刚刚 and 刚 are interchangeable in this case.  
+
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.
+
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 An Verb ===
+
=== 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:
 
A few examples:
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<div class="liju">
 
<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>
+
<ul>
*我们 昨天 <em>刚刚</em> 见 过 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒmen zuótiān <em>gānggāng</em> jiàn guo.</span><span class="trans">We just saw each other yesterday.</span>
+
<li class="o">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>
*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>
+
<li class="o">我们 昨天 <em></em> 。<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>刚</em> 走 。<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>
  
It would be wrong to use 刚才 in this case:
+
It would be wrong to use 刚才 instead:
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
 
<ul>
 
<ul>
<li class="x">他 <em>刚才</em> 到 。<span class="trans">He arrived just now.</span></li>
+
<li class="x">他 <em>刚才</em> 到 。<span class="pinyin">Tā <em>gāngcái</em> dào.</span></li>
<li class="x">我们 昨天 <em>刚才</em> 见 过 。<span class="expl">刚才 should be used for events a lot closer in time than 昨天.</span><span class="trans">We just saw each other yesterday.</span></li>
+
<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="x">真不巧 ,老板 <em>刚才</em> 走 。<span class="trans">What a bad coincidence. The boss just left.</span></li>
+
<li class="x">真 不巧 ,老板 <em>刚才</em> 走 。<span class="pinyin">Zhēn bùqiǎo, lǎobǎn <em>gāngcái</em> zǒu.</span></li>
 
</ul>
 
</ul>
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
=== before An Adjective ===
+
And if you mean to say "when I first arrived in Shanghai," use instead of 刚才:
  
刚, as an adverb, can also be placed in front of the verb while 刚才 can't be used this way.
+
<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 ===
 +
 
 +
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">
  
*天 <em>刚</em> 晴 。<span class="pinyin">Tiān <em>gāng</em> qíng.</span><span class="trans">The sky just cleared up.</span>
 
 
*他 的 感冒 <em>刚刚</em> 好 。<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>刚刚</em> 好 。<span class="pinyin">Tā de gǎnmào <em>gānggāng</em> hǎo.</span><span class="trans">He just recovered from his cold.</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>
+
*天 <em>刚</em> 晴 。<span class="pinyin">Tiān <em>gāng</em> qíng.</span><span class="trans">The sky just became clear.</span>
 +
*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>
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== 刚才 as "Just Now" ==
 
== 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'''."
+
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:
 
A few examples:
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<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
*他 <em>刚才</em> 哭 了 。<span class="expl">He was crying a moment ago but he stopped.</span><span class="pinyin">Tā <em> gāngcái</em> kū le.</span><span class="trans">He was crying just now.</span>
+
*他 <em>刚才</em> 哭 <strong></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 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">Wǒ <em> gāngcái</em> kàndào tā le.</span><span class="trans">I just now saw him.</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 。<span class="pinyin">Xiànzài wǒ gǎnjué bǐ <em>gāngcái</em> hǎo yīdiǎn.</span><span class="trans">I feel a little better now than just before.</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>
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
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<ul>
 
<ul>
 
<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="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="x">他 <em>刚</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>
 
 
<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>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">他 <em>刚才</em> <strong>的 态度</strong> 很 差 。<span class="pinyin">Tā <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>
  
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== 刚 and 刚才 with 了 ==
 
== 刚 and 刚才 with 了 ==
  
You may have noticed that something interesting is going on with regards to [[了]] 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).
+
You may have noticed that something interesting is going on with regards to [[了]] 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:
 
Take these sentences for example:
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
*我 昨天 看 了 。<span class="trans">I looked at it yesterday.</span>
+
*我 昨天 看 了 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ zuótiān kàn le.</span><span class="trans">I looked at it yesterday.</span>
*我 刚才 看 了 。<span class="trans">I looked at it just now.</span>
+
*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>
*我 明天 看 。<span class="trans">I'll look at it tomorrow.</span>
 
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
So these are all simple time "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.''
+
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 indicates a clear result. So, to use the 看 example from above:
+
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:
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
 
<ul>
 
<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> kàndào.</span><span class="trans">I just saw it.</span></li>
+
<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="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 here as 刚才 always refers to the past.</span><span class="trans">I saw it just now.</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>
  
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<ul>
 
<ul>
<li class="o"><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"><em>gāng</em> zhīdào ma?</span><span class="trans">You just found out?</span></li>
+
<li class="o"><em>刚</em> <strong></strong> <span class="expl">The verb includes a clear result.</span><span class="pinyin"><em>gāng</em> <strong>dào</strong>.</span><span class="trans">I just arrived.</span></li>
<li class="o"><em>刚</em> 听说 。<span class="expl">The verb 听说 includes a clear enough indication of result.</span><span class="pinyin"><em>gāng</em> tīngshuō.</span><span class="trans">I just heard.</span></li>
+
<li class="o"><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"><em>gāng</em>
<li class="o">宝宝 <em>刚</em> 醒 。<span class="pinyin">Bǎobao <em>gāng</em> xǐng.</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>
+
<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>
  
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== 刚 and 刚才 with 没 ==
 
== 刚 and 刚才 with 没 ==
  
OK, so 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."]
+
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.
 
The takeaway? Just don't use 刚 in sentences where you use 没 to negate the past.
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<ul>
 
<ul>
<li class="x">我 <em>刚</em> <strong>没</strong> 看到 。<span class="expl">Don't use 刚 with 没 in the past.</span><span class="trans">I just didn't see it.</span></li>
+
<li class="x">我 <em>刚</em> <strong>没</strong> 看到 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>gāng</em> <strong>méi</strong> kàndào.</span><span class="expl">Don't use 刚 with 没 in the past.</span><span class="trans">I just didn't see it.</span></li>
 +
<li class="x">我 <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>
 +
 
 +
</div>
 +
 
 +
Use 没 with 刚才 (and no 了) to negate the past.
 +
 
 +
<div class="liju">
 +
 
 +
<ul>
 
<li class="o">我 <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">我 <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="x">我 <em>刚</em> <strong>没</strong> 听懂 。<span class="trans">I didn't understand just now.</span></li>
 
 
<li class="o">我 <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>
 
<li class="o">我 <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>
<li class="x">我 <em>刚</em> <strong>不</strong> 知道 。<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 didn't know just now.</span></li>
 
<li class="o">我 <em>刚才</em> <strong>不</strong> 知道 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>gāngcái</em> <strong>bù</strong> zhīdào.</span><span class="trans">I didn't know just now.</span></li>
 
 
</ul>
 
</ul>
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
 
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.
 
  
 
== Example Dialog ==
 
== Example Dialog ==
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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 吧 ?<span class="pinyin">Nà nǐ bù zhīdào <em>gāngcái</em> de shì ba?</span><span class="trans">Then you don't know what happened just now?</span></li>
 
<li><span class="speaker">B:</span> 刚才 发生 什么 事 了 ?<span class="pinyin"><em>Gāngcái</em> fāshēng shénme shì le?</span><span class="trans">What's just happened?</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}}
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{{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}}
 
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{{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