▎就, jiù, (Adv), sooner than expected (1)

 

Function When the adverb 就 refers to time or place, the instance being discussed takes place sooner than expected.

1 學校很近。走路十分鐘就到了。

Xuéxiào hěn jìn. Zǒulù shí fēnzhōng jiù dào le.

The school is close. Walking only ten minutes will get you there.

2 那個地方不遠。很快就到了。

Nà ge dìfāng bù yuǎn. Hěn kuài jiù dào le.

That place is not far. You’ll get there very quickly.

3 他等一下就來。

Tā děng yíxià jiù lái.

He will be here in a bit.

 

Structures 就 often co-occurs with the sentence-final 了. See above. The sentences mean the same with or without 了.

 

Usage 就 is a high-frequency adverb, which has various functions and meanings. It can be used in a single sentence and it can be a linking adverb, connecting cause-effect sentences.