HSK 2
TIME (就) 要 V 了
TIME ( jiù) yào V le
about to V in TIME
Structure
Specific Time + (就)要 + Verb/Verb Phrase + 了
How it works
The structure '(就)要...了' indicates that an action or event is about to happen in the very near future. While '快要...了' also means 'about to', the version with '就要' is unique because it must be used when a specific time expression (like 'tomorrow' or 'next week') is mentioned.
Examples
明天我们就要回家了。
Míngtiān wǒmen jiù yào huí jiā le.
We are about to go home tomorrow.
下个月我就要结婚了。
Xià gè yuè wǒ jiù yào jiéhūn le.
I am about to get married next month.
还有五分钟就要上课了。
Háiyǒu wǔ fēnzhōng jiù yào shàngkè le.
Class is about to start in five minutes.
Common mistakes
Do not use '快要' (kuàiyào) when a specific time is mentioned; for example, '明天快要考试了' is incorrect.
Tip
Think of '就' (jiù) as an intensifier that emphasizes the imminence of the event, especially when you have already set a date or time.
More HSK 2 grammar
See TIME (就) 要 V 了 in real Chinese
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