Adverbs: 就 and 才 compared

1. When there is a time expression (such as yesterday at 7:30),

“就” emphasizes that the action happens earlier, sooner, more quickly or more smoothly than expected.

“才” emphasizes that the action does not happen as early, as soon, as quickly or as smoothly as expected.

他平时八点才来学校上课，今天七点半就来了。

他平時八點才來學校上課，今天七點半就來了。

2. 就 and 才 are two adverbs that suggest very subjective attitude of the speaker. Sentences using就 and 才 only tell you how the speaker thinks.

A: 我们十二点上中文课，朴东仁十二点五分才来。

A: 我們十二點上中文課，朴東仁十二點五分才來。

B: 我十二点五分就来了，小林十二点半才来。

B: 我十二點五分就來了，小林十二點半才來。

3. We see often “就 ….. 了” pattern, but no 了 can be added to才 sentence.

我六岁就开始学画画儿了。/ 我六歲就開始學畫畫兒了。

我六岁才开始学画画儿。/ 我六歲才開始學畫畫兒。

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