Just as [https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Expressing_lateness_with_%22cai%22 才 (cái) can express lateness], 就 (jiù) can be used to indicate that something happened earlier or sooner than expected. It can also be used in the near future to indicate something will happen very soon. == Used as "Right Away" (in the Future) == When something happens "right away," you're talking about "very soon" in the ''future''. === Structure === The pattern is as follows: === Examples === Note that it can sometimes be hard to translate the feeling of "soonness" into English, but in every one of these examples, the time given in the sentences ''feels "soon"'' to the speaker. == Used as "Early" (in the Past) == === Structure === In English this use of 就 might be expressed with "as early as," but usually it's not specifically marked. === Examples === Not only can 就 emphasize "time point," but can also emphasize "time period," indicating "very fast." A few examples: From the example sentences it is clear that [https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/%E4%BA%86 了] naturally occurs with a verb used after 就. This is because verbs following 就 generally have the feeling of being completed. == Colloquial Saying 早就 == 早就 means "long ago," and is usually used to express a kind of impatience or surprise on the part of the speaker. It comes before the verb. == See also == * [https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Comparing_%22cai%22_and_%22jiu%22 Comparing "cai" and "jiu"] * [https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Events_in_quick_succession_with_%22yi..._jiu%22 Events in quick succession with "yi... jiu"] * [https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Expressing_indifference_with_%22jiu%22 Expressing indifference with "jiu"] * [https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/%22If%E2%80%A6,_then%E2%80%A6%22_with_%22ruguo%E2%80%A6,_jiu%E2%80%A6%22 "If…, then…" with "ruguo…, jiu…"] == Sources and further reading == === Books === * [https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Integrated_Chinese:_Level_1,_Part_1 Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 1] (pp. 181-2) [http://amzn.to/2xe9H5W →buy] * [https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/New_Practical_Chinese_Reader_3_(%E6%96%B0%E5%AE%9E%E7%94%A8%E6%B1%89%E8%AF%AD%E8%AF%BE%E6%9C%AC3) New Practical Chinese Reader 3 (新实用汉语课本3)] (pp. 102-3) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/756191251X/ref%3das_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=756191251X →buy] * [https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/40_Lessons_for_Basic_Chinese_Course_(%E5%9F%BA%E7%A1%80%E6%B1%89%E8%AF%AD40%E8%AF%BE%E4%B8%8A%E5%86%8C%EF%BC%89 40 Lessons for Basic Chinese Course (基础汉语40课上册）] (pp. 239) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001FTL8D8/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001FTL8D8&linkCode=as2&tag=allset-20 →buy] === Websites === * East Asia Student: [http://eastasiastudent.net/2619/china/mandarin/cmn-grammar/jiu-cai-early-as-not-until/ 就 and 才 in Mandarin: as early as, not until]