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才 and 就 for Emphasis: 才八点, 才不去呢, 就是他

Beyond time, 才 can mean “only, just” before a small number, and 才…呢 or 就 make a statement strong: 我才不去呢 “No way I’m going,” 就是他 “It’s him, exactly.”

Patrón

才 + number; 才 (不)… 呢 / 这才是…; 就 + 是 / verb

才 + number says “only, so little”; 才…呢 and 就 add strong feeling: “really,” “no way,” “exactly.”

现在才八点，我们不用着急。

When to use 才 and 就 for Emphasis: 才八点, 才不去呢, 就是他

You know 才 and 就 as time words (才来 “came late,” 就来 “coming right away”). They also carry the speaker’s feeling. 才 + a number means “only, just,” and shows the speaker thinks the amount is small or the time is early: 现在才八点 “It’s only eight.” 才 + (不) + verb/adjective + 呢 makes a strong, often defiant statement: 我才不去呢 “No way am I going!” and 这才是好办法 means “Now this is a good idea.” 就 before 是 or a verb means “exactly, precisely” or shows the speaker insisting: 就是他 “It’s him, that’s the one,” 我就要这个 “I want this one and no other.”

这件衣服才五十块，真便宜！

This piece of clothing is only fifty yuan. So cheap!

学校就在前面，走两分钟就到了。

The school is right up ahead; it’s a two-minute walk.

他才十岁，已经会做饭了。

He’s only ten, and he can already cook.

这才是我想要的书！

Now this is the book I wanted!

Errores frecuentes

  • 才 + number means “only” and usually goes without 了: 现在才八点, not 现在才八点了.
  • 才不…呢 usually ends with 呢 in speech: 我才不去呢 sounds more natural than a bare 我才不去.
  • 就是他 means “it’s him, exactly”; it is not the same as 就 “then” after a condition.

Ejercicio dirigido

Practica exactamente este patrón antes de seguir.

这件衣服 五十块，真便宜！

This piece of clothing is only fifty yuan. So cheap!
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