HSK 2
就
jiù
just V then
Structure
Condition + (就) + Result
How it works
The particle '就' is used to indicate that an action happened sooner than expected, or to express 'if... then...' in a conditional sense. In the context of HSK 2, it often functions as 'then' or 'just' to emphasize a natural result or a quick decision based on a condition.
Examples
下午三点我就回家了。
Xiàwǔ sān diǎn wǒ jiù huí jiā le.
I went home as early as three in the afternoon.
你喜欢，就买吧。
Nǐ xǐhuān, jiù mǎi ba.
If you like it, then just buy it.
喝了咖啡，我就不累了。
Hē le kāfēi, wǒ jiù bù lèi le.
After drinking coffee, I'm not tired anymore.
Common mistakes
Placement of the particle: Students often place '就' before the subject, but it must come after the subject and before the verb.
Tip
Think of '就' as a bridge that moves the story forward quickly. If something happens easily or early, '就' is usually there.
More HSK 2 grammar
See 就 in real Chinese
Import an article and tap any sentence using it. The explanation comes back about the sentence in front of you, not a textbook example.
Try InputDojo free