说 + 动词 + 就 + 动词
to do it the moment it is mentioned; just like that
Structure
说 动词 就 动词（同一个动词）
What it means
“Do it the moment it is mentioned”: the action follows the idea at once, with no planning or warning.
How it is built
说 + verb + 就 + same verb: 他说走就走，第二天就到了西藏 (he just upped and went, and was in Tibet the next day). Short verb phrases work: 说辞职就辞职.
When to use it
Spoken. Context sets the tone: decisive (说干就干) or rash and fickle (说变就变, 说翻脸就翻脸). Set phrase: 说走就走的旅行, a spur-of-the-moment trip.
Watch out
✗ 说养就买 ✓ 说养就养: both slots take the same verb or verb phrase.
Examples
有人说养就养，新鲜感一过就把宠物扔了。
Some people get a pet on a whim and throw it out when the novelty wears off.
他这个人说走就走，买了张票，第二天就到了西藏。
He is the kind who just ups and goes: he bought a ticket and was in Tibet the next day.
你怎么说哭就哭了？
Why are you suddenly crying, just like that?
Learn this in Lesson 59 · HSK 6: 宠物经济 (The pet economy)
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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