就

jiù

HSK 2

就 — jiù

1. then; in that case (follows a suppositional clause)

   如果你累了，就早点休息。 rúguǒ nǐ lèi le jiù zǎodiǎn xiūxī — If you are tired, then rest early.

2. as soon as; immediately after (follows a clause of action)

   他一到家就打电话给我。 tā yī dào jiā jiù dǎdiànhuà gěi wǒ — He called me as soon as he got home.

3. just; simply; precisely (used to emphasize exactness or limitation)

   我就要两本书，不要别的。 wǒ jiùyào liǎngběnshū búyào biéde — I only want two books, nothing else.

4. even; (pattern: 就 ... 也 ...) — even if ... still ...

   就算下雨，我们也要去。 jiùsuàn xiàyǔ wǒmen yě yào qù — Even if it rains, we'll still go.

5. used in pattern 不 ... 就 ... — if not ... then ... (expressing alternative/necessity)

   你不告诉我，我就自己去问。 nǐ bù gàosù wǒ wǒ jiù zìjǐ qù wèn — If you don't tell me, then I'll ask myself.

6. with regard to; concerning; about

   就这个问题，我们需要再讨论。 jiù zhège wèntí wǒmen xūyào zài tǎolùn — Regarding this issue, we need to discuss it further.

7. to approach; to move towards; to take advantage of (often followed by 着) / to go with (food)

   他就着菜喝了杯酒。 tā jiù zhe cài hē le bēijiǔ — He had a glass of wine with the dish.