就 (jiù) is often translated simply as "just" or "only," but there are some nuances to how it is used.

Followed by Single Subject

就 can also be used to express one person or thing, similar to how we say in English "just one person" or "just one left." It is often paired with 一个 or similar in order to emphasize the small quantity.

Structure

Examples

这件事就我一个人知道。Zhè jiàn shì jiù wǒ yī gè rén zhīdào.I'm the only person that knows about this.
我们都忘了，就他还记得。Wǒmen dōu wàng le, jiù tā hái jìde.We all forgot. Only he still remembers it.
所有的菜都很好吃，就这个菜有点咸。Suǒyǒu de cài dōu hěn hǎochī, jiù zhège cài yǒudiǎn xián.All the food is delicious. Just this one dish is a little salty.
大家都下班了，就老板还在办公室。Dàjiā dōu xiàbān le, jiù lǎobǎn hái zài bàngōngshì.Everyone finished work and left. Only the boss is still in the office.
你觉得别人都是傻子吗？就你聪明？Nǐ juéde biérén dōu shì shǎzi ma? Jiù nǐ cōngming?Do you think everyone is an idiot? That only you are smart?

Followed by Verb Phrase

In this case, the 就 comes before the verb, and what's being emphasized as "small quantity" comes after the verb, either as an object or some other kind of small quantity.

Structure

Examples

这家公司我就认识一个人。Zhè jiā gōngsī wǒ jiù rènshi yī gè rén.I only know one person in this company.
这家餐厅我就来过一次。Zhè jiā cāntīng wǒ jiù lái guo yī cì.I've only been to this restaurant once.
她在我们公司就工作了两个月。Tā zài wǒmen gōngsī jiù gōngzuò le liǎng gè yuè.She has worked at our company for only two months.
我老板就会说几句英文。 Wǒ lǎobǎn jiù huì shuō jǐ jù Yīngwén.My boss can only speak a few sentences of English.
你怎么就点了这几个菜？Nǐ zěnme jiù diǎn le zhè jǐ gè cài?How could you order just these few dishes?

Used as a Verb

In this case, 就 means "only have," similar in meaning to 只有. (In these cases, however, 就有 would not be correct, however. Just use 就.)

Structure

Examples

为什么这里就一个厕所？Wèishéme zhèlǐ jiù yī gè cèsuǒ?Why does this place only have one bathroom?
你们家就一个孩子吗？Nǐmen jiā jiù yī gè háizi ma?Does your family only have one child?
我就一个哥哥。Wǒ jiù yī gè gēge.I only have one brother.
他在上海就一个朋友。Tā zài Shànghǎi jiù yī gè péngyou.He only has one friend in Shanghai.
我们公司就三个员工。Wǒmen gōngsī jiù sān gè yuángōng.There are only three employees in our company.

Followed by Single Subject

Structure

Examples

Followed by Verb Phrase

Structure

Examples

Used as a Verb

Structure

Examples

See also

Sources and further reading

Books

Dictionaries