Writing
才 (cái) — how to say "only then" in Chinese
才
Only then, just
time adverb · noun
1. only then; just; onlyHSK 3.0 · level 3
time adverb
2. ability; talentHSK 3.0 · level 5
noun
How to use it
time adverb
Goes after the subject, before the verb.
他才来。
tā cái lái
He just came.
modal adverb
Goes before the verb and shows the speaker's attitude.
我才知道。
wǒ cái zhī dào
I only just found out.
Radicals / Keys
手
Hand
#64 · shǒu · 4 strokes
Synonyms
Collocations
才明白
cái míngbai
only then understand
才知道
cái zhīdào
only then know
Examples
我做完作业才去玩。
I only go play after finishing my homework.
他现在才来。
He only came now.
Mnemonic
[cái-] Captain Jack Sparrow found a map marked with a simple horizontal line like 才, leading to the treasure 🏴☠️. "Only then can we find the hidden treasure," he exclaimed, pointing dramatically at the 才 on the map, as the crew cheered in excitement.
Frequently asked questions
How do you say "only then" in Chinese?
"only then" in Chinese is 才 (cái).
才 meaning in English
才 (cái) means "Only then, just".
How is 才 pronounced?
It is pronounced cái (written as cai). You can listen to the pronunciation on this page.
How do you write "only then" in Chinese characters?
It is written 才 and has 3 strokes. The Writing section above animates the stroke order and lets you trace it.
What HSK level is 才?
才 belongs to the HSK 3 vocabulary list.
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Grammar with 才
才 — only after, not until
Condition, + 才 (cái) + Result
直到 — all the way until
直到 (zhídào) + Time / Event，Subj. + 才 (cái) …
刚才 — just now
刚才 (gāngcái) + Verb
只有 — only if
只有 (zhǐyǒu) + Condition, 才 (cái) + Result
才 — lateness, “not until”
Subj. + Time + 才 (cái) + Verb
才 — only, small number
Subj. + 才 (cái) + Number + MW