Sentence pattern · Band 3
就 and 才: sooner than expected, later than expected
时间 + 就/才 + 动词
就 and 才 are two reactions to a clock. 就 says sooner than expected: eight o'clock and he is already here, early bird. 才 says later than expected: ten and you are only now eating breakfast, sleepyhead. Same clock time, different eyebrows. Both words hug the verb, right after the time word they are judging.
Hear it in a sentence
Mistakes people make
就 and 才 hug the verb, right after the time word; they never open the sentence.
Same clock, opposite news: 就 shrugs ten off as early, 才 complains it was late. Pick the eyebrow you mean.
Words in this pattern
Quick answers
What does 就、才：早晚之别 mean?
就 and 才 are two reactions to a clock. 就 says sooner than expected: eight o'clock and he is already here, early bird. 才 says later than expected: ten and you are only now eating breakfast, sleepyhead. Same clock time, different eyebrows. Both words hug the verb, right after the time word they are judging.
How do you build it?
时间 + 就/才 + 动词
What is the most common mistake?
就他八点来了。 → 他八点就来了。
就 and 才 hug the verb, right after the time word; they never open the sentence.
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