Difference between revisions of "Expressing earliness with "jiu""

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== Structure ==
 
== Structure ==
  
Just as [[Expressing lateness with "cai"|才 can express lateness]], 就 can be used to indicate that something happened earlier than expected.  
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Just as [[Expressing lateness with "cai"|才 can express lateness]], 就 (jiù) can be used to indicate that something happened earlier than expected.  
  
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">

Revision as of 10:02, 19 June 2012

Structure

Just as 才 can express lateness, 就 (jiù) can be used to indicate that something happened earlier than expected.

Subject + Time + 就 + Verb + Object

In English this might be expressed with "as early as", but usually it's not specifically marked.

Examples

  • 我们 早上 九点 上课,可是 他 八点 来了。
  • 她 十八 岁 大学 毕业 了。
  • 我们 上次 出去 玩,他 九点 回去 了。
  • 我 五 点 钟 到 了 饭馆,你 让 我 等 这么 久,罚 你 请客!

From the example sentences it is clear that naturally occurs with a verb used after 就. This is because verbs following 就 generally have the feeling of being completed.

Sources and further reading

Books

Websites