就（早）· 才（晚）
as early as · not until
Structure
时间 + 就 + 动词 （+ 了 ） · 时间 + 才 + 动词
What it means
After a time, 就 means “as early as, already” (sooner than expected) and 才 means “not until” (later than expected).
How it is built
Time + 就 + verb (+ 了): 他七点半就来了 (He was here by half past seven). Time + 才 + verb: 大卫九点才来 (David didn’t turn up until nine).
When to use it
Both go after the time and right before the verb, and show if you feel it is early or late. Directly before a time or number, 才 means “only”: 才九点半 “it’s only half past nine”.
Watch out
才 never takes 了. ✗ 他九点才来了。 ✓ 他九点才来。 就 often does: 他七点就来了。
Examples
我们八点上课，他七点半就来了。
Class starts at eight, and he was here by half past seven.
大卫九点才来。
David didn’t turn up until nine.
我每天六点就起床了。
I’m up at six every day.
才九点半，你就睡觉了？
It’s only half past nine and you’re going to bed?
Learn this in HSK 2 · Lesson 8: 我每天十点睡觉 (Daily rhythm)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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