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
就 + [Single Subject] + Verb
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
Subj. + 就 + Number + Measure Word + Noun
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.
See also
Sources and further reading
Books
Dictionaries
Category:B1 grammar points