How to say “not until” in Chinese with 才 (cái)
Subj. + Time + 才 (cái) + Verb
才 (cái) — lateness, “not until”
Subj. + Time + 才 (cái) + Verb
HSK 3Adverbs才 (cái) — lateness, “not until”
Rule structure
才 (cái) before the verb indicates that an action happened later than expected or only after a certain point. It emphasizes lateness, delay, or the speaker’s feeling that the action did not happen early.
Rule structure
才 (cái) before the verb indicates that an action happened later than expected or only after a certain point. It emphasizes lateness, delay, or the speaker’s feeling that the action did not happen early.
Examples
他晚上十点才回家。
Tā wǎnshang shí diǎn cái huí jiā.
He didn't come home until 10 p.m.
Examples
他晚上十点才回家。
Tā wǎnshang shí diǎn cái huí jiā.
He didn't come home until 10 p.m.
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Frequently asked questions
How do you say “lateness, “not until”” in Chinese with 才?
Use the structure: Subj. + Time + 才 (cái) + Verb. For example: 他晚上十点才回家。 — “He didn't come home until 10 p.m.”.
What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?
他晚上十点才回家。 — “He didn't come home until 10 p.m.”.
Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?
This grammar rule is part of HSK 3.
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More HSK 3 grammar rules
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Subj. + 只 (zhǐ) + Verb + Obj.
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先 (xiān)……, 再 (zài)……
老是 — always (complaining)
Subj. + 老是 (lǎoshì) + Verb/Adj.