HSK 2 grammar · new HSK syllabus
就: right away, just, then
就 before a verb shows something happens soon, early or easily: 我马上就来.
Structure
- Time + 就 + verb
- just: 就 + noun / verb
How it works
就 after a time phrase shows something happens sooner or earlier than expected: 他七点就起床了 = he got up as early as seven.
It also means “just, exactly”: 就是他 it’s him; 书店就在前面 the bookshop is just ahead.
And it links a condition to a result: 你想去就去吧 = if you want to go, go.
Examples
-
你等一下，我马上就来。
Nǐ děng yíxià, wǒ mǎshàng jiù lái.
Wait a moment, I’ll be right there.
-
他六点就起床了。
Tā liù diǎn jiù qǐchuáng le.
He was up by six.
-
超市就在学校旁边。
Chāoshì jiù zài xuéxiào pángbiān.
The supermarket is right next to the school.
-
你不舒服就回家休息吧。
Nǐ bù shūfu jiù huí jiā xiūxi ba.
If you don’t feel well, go home and rest.
-
走路十分钟就到了。
Zǒulù shí fēnzhōng jiù dào le.
It’s only ten minutes’ walk.
Words in these examples (26)
| 你 | nǐ | you | HSK 1 |
| 等 | děng | to wait | HSK 2 |
| 一下 | yíxià | (after a verb) a bit; one time | HSK 1 |
| 我 | wǒ | I; me | HSK 1 |
| 马上 | mǎshàng | right away; immediately | HSK 3 |
| 就 | jiù | then; just; right away; only | HSK 2 |
| 来 | lái | to come | HSK 1 |
| 他 | tā | he; him | HSK 1 |
| 六 | liù | six | HSK 1 |
| 点 | diǎn | o'clock; (measure word) a little | HSK 1 |
| 起床 | qǐchuáng | to get up (out of bed) | HSK 1 |
| 了 | le | (particle marking a completed action or a change) | HSK 1 |
| 超市 | chāoshì | supermarket | HSK 1 |
| 在 | zài | to be at; at; in; (before a verb) in the middle of doing | HSK 1 |
| 学校 | xuéxiào | school | HSK 1 |
| 旁边 | pángbiān | beside; next to | HSK 2 |
| 不 | bù | not; no | HSK 1 |
| 舒服 | shūfu | comfortable; feeling well | HSK 2 |
| 回 | huí | to return; to go back | HSK 1 |
| 家 | jiā | home; family; (measure word for shops and companies) | HSK 1 |
| 休息 | xiūxi | to rest; rest | HSK 1 |
| 吧 | ba | (particle for suggestions: "let's…", "…, OK?") | HSK 1 |
| 走路 | zǒulù | to walk; on foot | HSK 2 |
| 十 | shí | ten | HSK 1 |
| 分钟 | fēnzhōng | minute (of time) | HSK 1 |
| 到 | dào | to arrive; to go to | HSK 1 |
Common mistakes
-
✗我就马上来。
✓我马上就来。
Time words come before 就.
-
✗他就六点起床了。
✓他六点就起床了。
就 goes right before the verb.
Check yourself
Choose the word that fills the gap.
1. 他八点 到公司了，比别人早。
2. 我家 在这个楼里。
3. 你喜欢 买吧。