Expressing "only after" with "cai"
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Level
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Similar to
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Used for
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Keywords
These patterns using 才 are loosely related, and revolve around a meaning of "only when," "only after," "only then," or "not until." They suggest a condition without stating the condition as explicitly as in the pattern 只有……才…….
Contents
才 as "Only When" or "Only After"
Structure
⋯⋯，才⋯⋯
⋯⋯ ，才 ⋯⋯
Examples
- 才 。only then
- 才 。only then
- 才 。only then
- 才 。only then
- 才 。only then
才 as "Not Until"
This use of 才 is quite similar to the 才 used to express lateness. The two sort of blend together.
Structure
⋯⋯，才⋯⋯
⋯⋯ ，才 ⋯⋯
Examples
Sources and further reading
Books
- Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar: A Practical Guide (pp. 95, 263, 266) Anything Goes (无所不谈) →buy
