Using "cai" for small numbers

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The character 才 (cái) can be used to emphasize that a number is small, or less than expected.

Structure

Subject + 才 + (verb)+ Number + Measure Word + Noun

In English, we often express this by using "only" or "just" to emphasize that the number is small.

Examples

  • 这个 办公室 五个 人。Zhège bàngōngshì cái wǔ gè rén.This office only has five people.
  • 电影院 里 八 九 个 人。Diànyǐngyuàn lǐ cái bājiǔ gè rén.There are only eight or nine people in the theater.
  • 工作 了 一 个 月。cái gōngzuòle yīgè yuè.I've only been working for a month.
  • 工作 做 了 一半。Gōngzuò cái zuòle yībàn.Only half of the work has been done.
  • 他 早饭 吃 了 一 个 蛋糕。Tā zǎofàn cái chīle yīgè dàngāo.He only ate a cake for breakfast.

See Also

Sources and Further Readings

Books