一……就……
as soon as …, (then) …
Structure
主语 + 一 + 动作1 ，（主语） 就 + 动作2
What it means
“As soon as …, (then) …”: the second action follows straight after the first.
How it is built
Subject + 一 + action 1, (subject) + 就 + action 2: 他一回家就睡觉了 (He went to bed as soon as he got home). Two subjects: 门一开，大家就进去了.
When to use it
Works for past events, habits and requests: 你一到就给我打电话. With two subjects, each comes before its own part. This is the 就 of h2-8 (“straight away”).
Watch out
一 and 就 come after the subject. ✗ 一他回家就睡觉。 ✓ 他一回家就睡觉。 Don’t swap 就 for 才 or 都.
Examples
他一回家就睡觉了。
He went to bed as soon as he got home.
你一到就给我打电话。
Call me as soon as you arrive.
他一看见我就笑了。
He smiled the moment he saw me.
门一开，大家就进去了。
As soon as the door opened, everyone went in.
Learn this in HSK 2 · Lesson 16: 火车快要开了 (Catching a train)
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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