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How to say “only” a small quantity with 就 (jiù)

Place / Scope + 就 (jiù) + Quantity + Noun

就 (jiù) — only, just a small quantity

HSK 4Adverbs

Rule structure

就 (jiù) before a quantity emphasizes that the amount is small or less than expected. In such sentences, a place or scope often appears before 就 (jiù).

Examples

房间里就一张床。

Fángjiān lǐ jiù yì zhāng chuáng.

There is only one bed in the room.

桌子上就一个苹果。

Zhuōzi shàng jiù yīgè píngguǒ.

There is only one apple on the table.

Practice

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Characters

Words from this rule

就

jiù

Immediately, exactly, then, and... (adverb)

房间

fángjiān

Room

里

lǐ

Inside, in

一

yī

One, 1

张

zhāng

Measure word for flat objects

床

chuáng

Bed

桌子

zhuōzi

Table, desk

上

shàng

On, above

个

gè

General measure word

苹果

píngguǒ

Apple

书架

shū jià

Bookshelf

两

liǎng

Two, pair (before classifiers)

Frequently asked questions

How do you say “only, just a small quantity” in Chinese with 就?

Use the structure: Place / Scope + 就 (jiù) + Quantity + Noun. For example: 房间里就一张床。 — “There is only one bed in the room”.

What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?

房间里就一张床。 — “There is only one bed in the room”.

Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?

This grammar rule is part of HSK 4.

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More HSK 4 grammar rules

原来 — it turns out, originally

Subj. + 原来 (yuánlái) + Predicate

千万 — don't, whatever you do

千万 (qiānwàn) + (别 (bié) / 不 (bù)) + Verb

正好 — just in time, coincidence

Subj. + 正好 (zhènghǎo) + Verb / Adj.

不得不 — have to, forced to

Subj. + 不得不 (bùdébù) + Verb Phrase

也 都 — also all

Subj. + 也 (yě) + 都 (dōu) + Verb

究竟 — in the end

究竟 (jiūjìng) + Question word / Question

恐怕 — I'm afraid that...

恐怕 (kǒngpà) + Clause

从来 — never in negative contexts

从来 (cónglái) + 都 (dōu)/也 (yě) + 不 (bù)/没 (méi) + Verb / Adj.