HSK 3
V1了就 V2
V1 le jiù V2
V2 as soon as V1
Structure
Subject + V1 + 了 + (Object) + 就 + V2 + (Object)
How it works
This structure is used to indicate two actions that occur in immediate succession. The first action (V1) must be completed before the second action (V2) begins, often indicating a 'whenever' or 'as soon as' relationship.
Examples
我不舒服，下了课就去医院。
Wǒ bù shūfu, xià le kè jiù qù yīyuàn.
I don't feel well; I'll go to the hospital as soon as class ends.
他到了家就给我打电话。
Tā dào le jiā jiù gěi wǒ dǎ diànhuà.
He will call me as soon as he arrives home.
妈妈看见我就笑了。
Māma kànjiàn wǒ jiù xiào le.
Mom smiled as soon as she saw me.
Common mistakes
Forgetting to place '了' immediately after the first verb, or placing '就' before the subject of the second clause.
Tip
Think of '了' here not as a past tense marker, but as a completion marker showing that V1 is the necessary condition for V2 to start.
More HSK 3 grammar
See V1了就 V2 in real Chinese
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