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就是

jiù shì
HSK 3.0 Level 4 Particle Very common

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Definitions

  1. 1. exactly; precisely
  2. 2. only; simply; just
  3. 3. (used correlatively with 也[yě]) even; even if

Word relationships

Antonyms

1 item
不过
bù guò

only

contrast with limiting sense: 就是 means 'only', 不过 means 'however' or 'no more than'

Synonyms

2 items
正是
zhèng shì

(emphasizes that sth is precisely or exactly as stated)

used to emphasize confirmation, similar to 'exactly'
就算
jiù suàn

(coll.) even if

similar concessive meaning 'even if' in the pattern 就是...也

Usage notes

Collocations

Commonly used with 也 in 就是...也 structure for 'even if... still', e.g., 就是下雨也去 (will go even if it rains).

Common mistakes

Do not confuse with 只是 (zhǐshì) 'merely'; 就是 emphasizes certainty or limitation, not mere existence.

Example Sentences

5 shown
他 就是 大名鼎鼎的作家。
He is the renowned writer.
知识 就是 力量。
Knowledge is power.
这 就是 所谓的幸福。
This is so-called happiness.
这大致 就是 我想要说的。
This is roughly what I wanted to say.
别说小孩子， 就是 大人也不一定明白。
Let alone children, even adults may not understand.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Words Containing 就是

也就是说
yě jiù shì shuō

in other words

就是说
jiù shì shuō

in other words; that is

这就是说
zhè jiù shì shuō

in other words

不是鱼死就是网破
bù shì yú sǐ jiù shì wǎng pò

lit. either the fish dies or the net gets torn (idiom)

也就是
yě jiù shì

that is

团结就是力量
tuán jié jiù shì lì liang

unity is strength (revolutionary slogan and popular song of 1943)

捡到篮里就是菜
jiǎn dào lán lǐ jiù shì cài

all is grist that comes to the mill (idiom)

有奶就是娘
yǒu nǎi jiù shì niáng

see 有奶便是娘[yǒu nǎi biàn shì niáng]

听见风就是雨
tīng jiàn fēng jiù shì yǔ

lit. on hearing wind, to say rain

听风就是雨
tīng fēng jiù shì yǔ

lit. to believe in the rain on hearing the wind (idiom)

Child Words of 就是

就
jiù

(after a suppositional clause) in that case; then

是
shì

to be (followed by substantives only)