Using "cai" for small numbers
The character 才 (cái) can be used to emphasize that a number is small, or less than expected.
Contents
- 1 Used as a Verb
- 1.1 Structure
- 1.2 Examples
- 2 Used with a Verb
- 2.1 Structure
- 2.2 Examples
- 3 See also
- 4 Sources and Further Readings
Used as a Verb
Structure
In this case, 才 means "is only" or "only have."
才 + Number + [Measure Word] + Noun
In English, we often express this by using "only" or "just" to emphasize that the number is small.
Examples
- 你 才 二十 岁 ？ Nǐ cái èrshí suì? You're only twenty?
- 这 个 班 才 两 个 学生 。 Zhège bān cái liǎng gè xuéshēng. This class only has two students.
- 你 的 工资 才 两 千 ？ Nǐ de gōngzī cái liǎng qiān? Your salary is only two thousand RMB?
- 这 顿 饭 才 二十 块 ，太 便宜 了 ！ Zhè dùn fàn cái èrshí kuài. Tài piányi le! This meal only cost twenty kuai. It's too cheap!
- 你 才 一百 斤 ，还 要 减肥 ？One "jin" = 500g Nǐ cái yī bǎi jīn, hái yào jiǎnféi? You're only 100 jin and you still want to lose some weight?
Used with a Verb
Structure
才 + Verb + Number + Measure Word + Noun
In this pattern, adding a 了 after the verb is optional.
Examples
- 她 才 来 了 两 个 月 。
Tā cái lái le liǎng gè yuè.
She's been here for only two months.
- 这 家 店 关门 了 ？可是 它 才 开业 一 个 星期 。
Zhè jiā diàn guānmén le? Kěshì tā cái kāiyè yī gè xīngqī.
This shop is out of business? But it's only been one week since it opened.
- 已经 两天 了 ，你 才 看完 一 页 ？
Yǐjīng liǎngtiān le, nǐ cái kàn wán yī yè?
It's been two days and you only finished reading one page?
- 我们 才 玩 了 一会儿 ，再 玩 一会儿 吧 ？
Wǒmen cái wán le yīhuìr, zài wán yīhuìr ba?
We've only played for a short while. Can we play a little bit longer?
- 他们 结婚 了 ？他们 才 认识 三 个 月 ！
Tāmen jiéhūn le? Tāmen cái rènshi sān gè yuè!
They got married? They've only knew each other for three months!
See also
- "Just" with "jiu"
Comparing "cai" and "jiu"
Expressing lateness with "cai"
Sources and Further Readings
Books
- Integrated Chinese: Level 2, Part 1 (pp. 302) →buy