A1 Conjunctions & Connectors 14 min read Easy

The 'As Soon As' Pattern: 一... 就...

Use the {一|yī}... {就|jiù}... structure to express that one action happens immediately after another.
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Use 一...就... to link two actions where the second happens immediately after the first.

  • Place 一 before the first action: {一|yī} {看|kàn} {书|shū}...
  • Place 就 before the second action: ...{就|jiù} {睡|shuì} {觉|jiào}.
  • The subject usually comes before 一, but can go after it.
Subject + 一 + Action 1 + 就 + Action 2

Overview

Learning a new language often involves mastering the art of connecting ideas seamlessly. In Chinese, expressing immediate succession or direct cause-and-effect is efficiently handled by the paired structure 一... 就... (yī...

jiù...). This pattern translates most closely to "as soon as... then..." or "once...

then..." in English, but it carries a stronger implication of promptness and predictability than a simple temporal conjunction. It highlights that the second action or event follows the first with virtually no delay, often feeling like an automatic response or a habitual outcome.

Historically, the character 一 (yī) fundamentally means 'one' or 'first.' In this grammatical structure, its meaning extends to 'once' or 'as soon as,' marking the initiation of an event. The character 就 (jiù) typically conveys 'then,' 'precisely,' or 'immediately,' emphasizing the swift consequence or outcome. Together, they form a robust linguistic mechanism for linking two tightly related occurrences, making your descriptions of sequences vivid and precise.

This pattern is fundamental for A1 learners because it allows for the clear articulation of simple, everyday routines and instant reactions, providing a concise way to describe events unfolding in quick succession.

How This Grammar Works

The core function of 一... 就... is to establish a direct and immediate relationship between two clauses. Action A, introduced by 一, triggers Action B, introduced by 就, almost instantaneously.
It's not merely about chronological order; it's about the lack of an intervening period, signifying that Action B is a direct, often inevitable, response to Action A. Consider the difference between "When I finish work, I go home" and "As soon as I finish work, I go home." The latter, captured by 一... 就..., implies a reflex-like transition, perhaps driven by habit, necessity, or a strong desire.
This pattern is particularly potent because it implies a high degree of certainty or regularity. If you use 一... 就..., you are signaling that this sequence is either always true, was immediately true in a specific past instance, or will certainly be true in a future scenario.
For instance, if someone says 他一回家就睡觉 (Tā yī huí jiā jiù shuì jiào), it suggests that sleeping immediately follows his arrival home as a routine or an instant response to fatigue, not just a casual sequence. The strength of 就 here is its ability to underscore this immediacy and conclusiveness, making the second event feel determined by the first.
This grammatical construction reflects a pragmatic aspect of Chinese language, prioritizing efficiency in conveying closely linked events. It encourages speakers to articulate relationships between actions rather than simply listing them. Understanding this intrinsic linkage is key to mastering the nuance of `一...
就...`, as it governs not just the order of words but the perceived connection between the events themselves.

Formation Pattern

1
The 一... 就... pattern follows a clear and consistent structure. It always involves two clauses, with 一 introducing the first action or event (Action A) and 就 introducing the second action or event (Action B). The subject of the sentence typically comes before 一. If there are two different subjects for Action A and Action B, the second subject is placed immediately before 就.
2
Basic Structure (Single Subject):
3
| Component | Chinese Character / Pinyin | Meaning / Role |
4
| :---------- | :------------------------- | :------------------------------------------- |
5
| Subject | 我 (wǒ) | The person performing the actions |
6
| 一 | 一 (yī) | Marks the beginning of Action A, "as soon as" |
7
| Action A| 到家 (dào jiā) | The trigger event |
8
| 就 | 就 (jiù) | Marks the beginning of Action B, "then" |\
9
| Action B| 睡觉 (shuì jiào) | The immediate consequence |
10
Example: 我一到家就睡觉。 (Wǒ yī dào jiā jiù shuì jiào.)
11
Translation: "As soon as I get home, I sleep."
12
Structure with Two Subjects:
13
When the subject performing Action A is different from the subject performing Action B, the structure adjusts slightly. The first subject (Subject 1) still precedes 一, but the second subject (Subject 2) is placed directly before 就.
14
| Component | Chinese Character / Pinyin | Meaning / Role |
15
| :------------ | :------------------------- | :------------------------------------------- |\
16
| Subject 1 | 妈妈 (māma) | Performs Action A |\
17
| 一 | 一 (yī) | Marks the beginning of Action A |\
18
| Action A | 走 (zǒu) | The trigger event |\
19
| Subject 2 | 孩子 (háizi) | Performs Action B |\
20
| 就 | 就 (jiù) | Marks the beginning of Action B |\
21
| Action B | 哭 (kū) | The immediate consequence |\
22
Example: 妈妈一走，孩子就哭了。 (Māma yī zǒu, háizi jiù kū le.)
23
Translation: "As soon as Mom left, the child cried."
24
It is crucial that 一 directly precedes the verb or verb phrase of Action A, and 就 directly precedes the verb or verb phrase of Action B. No adverbs or other elements should generally separate 一 from Action A or 就 from Action B in simple A1 constructions, as this can alter the meaning or make the sentence ungrammatical.

When To Use It

The 一... 就... pattern is highly versatile, extending beyond simple temporal sequences to convey various nuances of immediacy and predictability. Mastering its applications will significantly enhance your ability to express complex relationships between events in concise Chinese.
  • Instant Reactions and Prompt Occurrences: This is the most common use. Use 一... 就... to describe situations where one event happens, and another follows almost without a pause. This can be an instinctive reaction, a quick decision, or a rapid unfolding of events.
  • 我一见到他，就笑了。 (Wǒ yī jiàn dào tā, jiù xiào le.)
"As soon as I saw him, I smiled."
  • 他一开门，狗就跑出去了。 (Tā yī kāi mén, gǒu jiù pǎo chū qù le.)
"As soon as he opened the door, the dog ran out."
  • Habitual Actions and Predictable Routines: The pattern is excellent for describing habits or recurring events where a specific action consistently and immediately leads to another. This highlights the regularity and predictability of a sequence.
  • 我一回家就开电视。 (Wǒ yī huí jiā jiù kāi diàn shì.)
"As soon as I get home, I turn on the TV." (Implies this is a regular habit).
  • 老师一讲完，学生们就开始写字。 (Lǎo shī yī jiǎng wán, xué shēng men jiù kāi shǐ xiě zì.)
"As soon as the teacher finishes speaking, the students start writing." (Describes a classroom routine).
  • Cause-and-Effect Relationships: 一... 就... can also imply a direct causal link, suggesting that Action A directly brings about Action B. This is particularly useful when expressing a strong, immediate consequence.
  • 她一喝酒就脸红。 (Tā yī hē jiǔ jiù liǎn hóng.)
"As soon as she drinks alcohol, her face turns red." (Drinking causes her face to redden).
  • 这孩子一饿就哭。 (Zhè hái zi yī è jiù kū.)
"As soon as this child gets hungry, he cries." (Hunger causes him to cry).
  • Conditional Statements (with immediacy): While not a standalone conditional, 一... 就... often functions similarly to an "if... then..." statement, but with the added emphasis on immediacy. It suggests that if Action A occurs, Action B immediately and certainly follows.
  • 我一收到钱就还你。 (Wǒ yī shōu dào qián jiù huán nǐ.)
"As soon as I receive the money, I'll pay you back." (A promise with immediate intent).
  • 你一按这个按钮，灯就亮了。 (Nǐ yī àn zhè ge àn niǔ, dēng jiù liàng le.)
"As soon as you press this button, the light will turn on." (A guaranteed immediate outcome).
  • Expressing Difficulty or Ease: The pattern can subtly convey how easily or quickly something happens or changes. If Action B is something undesirable, 一... 就... can highlight its unfortunate immediacy.
  • 这件衣服一洗就破了。 (Zhè jiàn yī fu yī xǐ jiù pò le.)
"As soon as this piece of clothing was washed, it tore." (Highlighting its fragility).
These applications demonstrate the pattern's capacity to communicate not just temporal order, but also the nature of the connection between events, whether it's an automatic response, a habit, or a direct consequence.

Common Mistakes

Even at the A1 level, learners can encounter specific pitfalls when using 一... 就.... Awareness of these common errors and their underlying reasons will help you construct accurate and natural-sounding sentences.
  • Incorrect Subject Placement: A frequent mistake is placing 一 before the subject, directly translating the English "As soon as I..." structure. In Chinese, the subject almost always comes before 一, even if it means the sentence begins with the subject.
  • Incorrect: 一我到家就睡觉。 (Yī wǒ dào jiā jiù shuì jiào.)
  • Correct: 我一到家就睡觉。 (Wǒ yī dào jiā jiù shuì jiào.)
  • Reasoning: Chinese typically introduces the topic or agent first, establishing who or what the sentence is about before describing their actions or states.
  • Omitting 就: Learners sometimes forget to include 就 in the second clause, assuming 一 alone carries the full meaning. However, 一 and 就 function as a pair; both are essential to convey the specific meaning of immediate succession and direct consequence.
  • Incorrect: 他一回家睡觉。 (Tā yī huí jiā shuì jiào.)
  • Correct: 他一回家就睡觉。 (Tā yī huí jiā jiù shuì jiào.)
  • Reasoning: While 一 can sometimes mean "as soon as" in other contexts (e.g., 一天 yī tiān "one day/a day"), in this pattern, 就 is the crucial element that reinforces immediacy and indicates the consequence. Without 就, the sentence sounds incomplete or conveys a different meaning.
  • Confusing with Simultaneous Actions (一边...一边): 一... 就... describes sequential actions where the second action immediately follows the first. It is not used for actions happening at the exact same time. For simultaneous actions, the pattern 一边...一边... (yībiān... yībiān...) is used.
  • Incorrect (for simultaneous): 我一听音乐就跑步。 (Wǒ yī tīng yīn yuè jiù pǎo bù.) – This means "As soon as I hear music, I run," implying a sequence.
  • Correct (for simultaneous): 我一边听音乐一边跑步。 (Wǒ yī biān tīng yīn yuè yī biān pǎo bù.) – This means "I listen to music while running."
  • Reasoning: 一... 就... emphasizes the transition from one event to the next, whereas 一边...一边 emphasizes the co-occurrence of two activities.
  • Incorrect Tone Change for 一: The character 一 (yī) undergoes tone changes depending on the tone of the following character. This is a common phonetic rule that applies here.
  • When followed by a fourth tone (↘), 一 changes to second tone (↗) yí.
  • Example: 一个人 (yí ge rén), 一看 (yí kàn), 一会 (yí huì).
  • When followed by any other tone (first, second, third, or a neutral tone), 一 changes to fourth tone (↘) yì.
  • Example: 一年 (yì nián), 一起 (yì qǐ), 一把 (yì bǎ).
  • Important: Despite these pronunciation changes, 一 is almost always written as yī in pinyin, unless specifically denoting the tone change for pedagogical purposes. Learners should be aware of the spoken change even if the written pinyin remains yī.
  • Example (pronunciation): 我一到家 (Wǒ yí dào jiā) – here 一 is followed by 到 (dào, 4th tone), so 一 becomes yí.
By carefully observing these guidelines, you can avoid typical mistakes and use 一... 就... with greater accuracy and confidence.

Real Conversations

Understanding 一... 就... in its natural context is crucial for practical application. Here are examples reflecting how native speakers use this pattern in modern, everyday communication, from casual observations to slightly more formal statements.

1. Describing Daily Habits or Routines:

- 我妈妈一早醒来就去公园散步。 (Wǒ māma yī zǎo xǐng lái jiù qù gōng yuán sàn bù.)

"As soon as my mom wakes up in the morning, she goes to the park for a walk."

(This sentence highlights a regular, predictable morning routine.)*

- 你一放学就回家吗？ (Nǐ yī fàng xué jiù huí jiā ma?)

"Do you go home as soon as school is out?"

(A common question inquiring about someone's immediate plans post-school.)*

2. Expressing Instant Reactions or Consequences:

- 我男朋友一收到我的消息就马上回复了。 (Wǒ nán péng yǒu yī shōu dào wǒ de xiāo xī jiù mǎ shàng huí fù le.)

"My boyfriend replied immediately as soon as he received my message."

(A typical scenario in messaging, emphasizing quick response time.)*

- 这孩子一听到好听的歌就跟着唱。 (Zhè hái zi yī tīng dào hǎo tīng de gē jiù gēn zhe chàng.)

"As soon as this child hears a nice song, he sings along."

(Describes an immediate, joyful reaction to music.)*

3. Lamenting or Observing Quick Changes/Events:

- 这手机电池一用就没电。 (Zhè shǒu jī diàn chí yī yòng jiù méi diàn.)

"This phone battery runs out as soon as you use it." (Lit. "...as soon as one uses [it], it has no electricity.")

(A common complaint about short battery life, using an implied subject or a general 'one'.)*

- 我一吃辣的，肚子就不舒服。 (Wǒ yī chī là de, dù zi jiù bù shū fu.)

"As soon as I eat spicy food, my stomach feels uncomfortable."

(A personal observation about a recurring physical reaction.)*

4. Setting Conditions or Promises:

- 你一告诉我答案，我就帮你。 (Nǐ yī gào sù wǒ dá àn, wǒ jiù bāng nǐ.)

"As soon as you tell me the answer, I'll help you."

(A conditional promise, where help is immediate upon the condition being met.)*

These examples illustrate the flexibility of 一... 就... in various real-life contexts, conveying not just sequence, but also habit, reaction, and even conditional immediacy. Pay attention to how the subjects can shift or be implied, making the pattern a powerful tool in dynamic conversations.

Quick FAQ

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about the 一... 就... pattern, addressing common learner queries and clarifying nuanced aspects of its usage.
Q1: Can 一... 就... be used for actions in the past?

Yes, absolutely. The 一... 就... pattern itself focuses on the immediate relationship between two actions, irrespective of the overall tense. To indicate that the entire sequence occurred in the past, you typically add the aspect particle 了 (le) at the end of the sentence or after the verb in Action B.

  • Example: 他一回家就睡着了。 (Tā yī huí jiā jiù shuì zháo le.) – "As soon as he got home, he fell asleep."
  • Example: 我一开门，就看见你了。 (Wǒ yī kāi mén, jiù kàn jiàn nǐ le.) – "As soon as I opened the door, I saw you."
Q2: What if there are two different subjects for the two actions?

As discussed in the "Formation Pattern" section, if the subjects are different, the second subject (Subject 2) is placed directly before 就. This maintains clarity regarding who performs each action in the immediate sequence.

  • Example: 老师一进来，学生们就安静了。 (Lǎo shī yī jìn lái, xué shēng men jiù ān jìng le.) – "As soon as the teacher came in, the students became quiet."
  • Here, 老师 (lǎo shī) is Subject 1, and 学生们 (xué shēng men) is Subject 2.
Q3: How does 一... 就... differ from ...的时候 (de shíhou) and 以后 (yǐhòu)?

These expressions all deal with time, but with distinct nuances:

  • 一... 就... (yī... jiù...): Emphasizes immediate, direct, and often predictable or habitual succession with virtually no time gap. The second action is a swift response to the first.
  • Example: 我一吃饱就困。 (Wǒ yī chī bǎo jiù kùn.) – "As soon as I'm full, I get sleepy." (An immediate, consistent reaction).
  • ...的时候 (de shíhou): Means "when..." or "at the time of...". It simply sets a timeframe during which an action occurs. It doesn't imply immediacy or a direct consequence.
  • Example: 我吃饭的时候喜欢看电视。 (Wǒ chī fàn de shí hou xǐ huan kàn diàn shì.) – "When I eat, I like to watch TV." (Actions happen concurrently or within the same general timeframe, without strict immediacy).
  • 以后 (yǐhòu): Means "after..." or "later." It indicates sequential actions, but with an implied or explicit time gap between them. The second action happens sometime after the first, not necessarily immediately.
  • Example: 我吃完饭以后会洗碗。 (Wǒ chī wán fàn yǐ hòu huì xǐ wǎn.) – "After I finish eating, I will wash the dishes." (There's a natural pause between eating and washing dishes).
Q4: Can other adverbs or negatives be used with 一... 就...?

At the A1 level, it's best to keep the structure simple. In more advanced usage, adverbs (like 马上 mǎ shàng "immediately") can sometimes precede Action B or 就, though 就 already implies immediacy. Negative forms are generally applied to Action B if you want to say something doesn't happen immediately. For example, 他一回家就不高兴。 (Tā yī huí jiā jiù bù gāo xìng.) – "As soon as he got home, he was unhappy."

Q5: Is 一... 便... (yī... biàn...) similar to 一... 就...?

Yes, 一... 便... is another pattern that conveys "as soon as... then..." However, 便 (biàn) is generally considered more formal or literary than 就. While 一... 就... is common in everyday speech and writing, 一... 便... might be encountered in older texts, official documents, or more formal contexts. For A1 learners, focusing on 一... 就... is sufficient and more practical for daily communication.

Understanding these distinctions allows you to choose the most appropriate expression for the specific temporal and causal relationship you wish to convey in Chinese.

Basic Pattern Structure

Part 1 Action 1 Part 2 Action 2
Subject
一
Verb/Phrase
就
Verb/Phrase
我
一
下班
就
回家
他
一
看到我
就
跑了
天气
一
变冷
就
下雪
你
一
有空
就
给我打电话
大家
一
听到音乐
就
跳舞

Meanings

This structure indicates that the second action occurs immediately following the completion or occurrence of the first action.

1

Immediate Sequence

Action B happens right after Action A.

“我一听就懂了。”

“他一看见我就跑。”

2

Conditional

If A happens, B will definitely happen.

“这药一吃就好。”

“天气一热我就想喝水。”

Reference Table

Reference table for The 'As Soon As' Pattern: 一... 就...
Form Structure Example
Affirmative
Subj + 一 + V1 + 就 + V2
我一到就走。
Conditional
Subj + 一 + V1 + 就 + V2
天一热我就喝水。
Question
Subj + 一 + V1 + 就 + V2 + 吗?
你一到家就睡觉吗?
Negative (Result)
Subj + 一 + V1 + 就 + 不 + V2
我一吃辣就不舒服。
Past Tense
Subj + 一 + V1 + 就 + V2 + 了
他一看到我就笑了。

Formality Spectrum

Formal
我一抵达，便会致电给您。

我一抵达，便会致电给您。 (Arrival notification)

Neutral
我一到，就给你打电话。

我一到，就给你打电话。 (Arrival notification)

Informal
我一到就打给你。

我一到就打给你。 (Arrival notification)

Slang
我一到就Call你。

我一到就Call你。 (Arrival notification)

The '一...就...' Logic Flow

Trigger

Action

  • 到家 arrive home

Result

  • 吃饭 eat
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Examples by Level

1

我一到家就吃饭。

I eat as soon as I get home.

2

他一看见我就笑。

He smiles as soon as he sees me.

3

天一亮我们就走。

We leave as soon as it's light.

4

我一听就懂了。

I understood as soon as I heard it.

1

这药一吃就好。

You get better as soon as you take this medicine.

2

天气一热我就想喝水。

I want to drink water as soon as it gets hot.

3

他一忙完就给你打电话。

He will call you as soon as he finishes.

4

我一看到他，就想起了我的朋友。

As soon as I saw him, I thought of my friend.

1

只要一努力，就能成功。

As long as you work hard, you will succeed.

2

这个软件一安装就自动运行。

This software runs automatically as soon as it's installed.

3

他一听到这个消息，就立刻出发了。

He left immediately as soon as he heard the news.

4

一分钱一分货，这东西一用就知道好坏。

You get what you pay for; you know the quality as soon as you use it.

1

一旦一出现问题，我们就必须采取措施。

We must take measures as soon as a problem appears.

2

他一向严谨，一看到错误就指出来。

He is always rigorous; he points out errors as soon as he sees them.

3

这台机器一启动，噪音就非常大。

The noise is huge as soon as this machine starts.

4

一想到明天要考试，我就紧张。

I get nervous as soon as I think about the exam tomorrow.

1

他一贯如此，一遇到困难就想放弃。

He is always like this; he wants to give up as soon as he encounters difficulty.

2

这种现象一经发现，就引起了广泛关注。

This phenomenon attracted wide attention as soon as it was discovered.

3

一言既出，驷马难追，他一承诺就一定会做到。

A word once spoken cannot be taken back; he always keeps his word as soon as he promises.

4

一触即发，局势一紧张，双方就可能开战。

On the verge of breaking out, the two sides might go to war as soon as the situation gets tense.

1

一叶知秋，一看到落叶，我就知道秋天到了。

Seeing one leaf fall, I know autumn has arrived.

2

一概而论是不对的，一接触具体案例，就发现复杂性。

Generalizing is wrong; as soon as you encounter specific cases, you discover the complexity.

3

一脉相承的文化，一听到那首歌，大家就产生了共鸣。

With a shared cultural heritage, everyone resonates as soon as they hear that song.

4

一蹴而就的想法是天真的，一遇到挫折就放弃是不可取的。

The idea of overnight success is naive; giving up as soon as you hit a setback is not advisable.

Easily Confused

The 'As Soon As' Pattern: 一... 就... vs 只要...就...

Both use '就'.

The 'As Soon As' Pattern: 一... 就... vs 一旦...就...

Both mean 'as soon as'.

The 'As Soon As' Pattern: 一... 就... vs 一...便...

Both are temporal.

Common Mistakes

✗

我一到家吃饭。

✓

我一到家就吃饭。

Missing the '就' connector.
✗

一我到家就吃饭。

✓

我一到家就吃饭。

Subject must come before '一'.
✗

我一到家就吃吃饭。

✓

我一到家就吃饭。

Redundant verb usage.
✗

我一到家就了吃饭。

✓

我一到家就吃饭了。

Particle '了' placement.
✗

他一忙完就给你打电话了。

✓

他一忙完就给你打电话。

Sometimes '了' is unnecessary if the action is habitual.
✗

如果一热我就喝水。

✓

天气一热我就喝水。

Don't mix '如果' with '一...就...'.
✗

我一看见他，就看见他跑了。

✓

我一看见他，他就跑了。

Subject placement for the second clause.
✗

一到家，我就吃饭。

✓

我一到家，就吃饭。

Subject placement is more natural before '一'.
✗

只要一努力，就成功。

✓

只要一努力，就能成功。

Need a modal verb for better flow.
✗

他一听到消息，就立刻马上出发了。

✓

他一听到消息，就出发了。

Redundant adverbs.
✗

一经发现，就立刻处理。

✓

一经发现，就应立刻处理。

Needs a modal verb for formal tone.
✗

一想到那件事，我就感到难过。

✓

一想到那件事，我就难过。

Verb '感到' is sometimes redundant.
✗

一触即发，局势紧张，双方就开战。

✓

一触即发，局势一紧张，双方就开战。

Missing the second '一' for parallel structure.

Sentence Patterns

我一___就___。

___一___就___。

一___，我就___。

只要一___，就___。

Real World Usage

Texting constant

我一到就发信息给你。

Workplace very common

文件一准备好，我就发给你。

Travel common

我们一到酒店就休息。

Food Delivery common

外卖一到，我就开吃。

Social Media common

一看到这个视频，我就笑了。

Job Interview occasional

我一毕业就参加了工作。

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💡

Keep it simple

Don't overcomplicate the verb phrases. Keep them short for better flow.
⚠️

Don't forget '就'

The '就' is the most important part of the pattern. Without it, the sentence is just a list of actions.
🎯

Use it for habits

It's perfect for describing your daily routine. 'I eat as soon as I get home' is a classic example.
💬

Natural speech

Native speakers use this constantly. Using it will make your Chinese sound much more natural.

Smart Tips

Use '一...就...' to make your routine sound more natural.

我回家。我吃饭。 → 我一回家就吃饭。

Use it to describe immediate reactions to stimuli.

我看到他，我笑。 → 我一看到他就笑。

Use it for step-by-step instructions.

你点击保存。文件更新。 → 你一点击保存，文件就更新。

Use it to link weather to your mood or actions.

天气热。我喝水。 → 天气一热我就喝水。

Pronunciation

yì...jiù...

Tone change

The '一' in '一...就...' is usually pronounced in the 4th tone (yì) because it precedes a 4th tone word (jiù).

Rising-Falling

一 (rising) ... 就 (falling)

Emphasizes the sequence.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of '一' as '1' (the first step) and '就' as 'Jump' (the immediate next step).

Visual Association

Imagine a domino falling. The first domino is '一', and the second one falling immediately is '就'.

Rhyme

一 is the start, 就 is the end, actions together, like a best friend.

Story

Xiao Ming is very hungry. He walks home. As soon as he opens the door (一), he runs to the kitchen (就). He eats everything in sight!

Word Web

立刻马上紧接着一旦一...便...

Challenge

Write 5 sentences about your daily routine using this pattern and say them out loud.

Cultural Notes

Very common in daily speech to show efficiency.

Similar usage, often used in casual conversation.

Used in Cantonese-influenced Mandarin, often with '即刻'.

The '一' (one) signifies the start of an event, and '就' (then) signifies the immediate follow-up.

Conversation Starters

“

你一回家通常做什么？

“

你一看到好吃的食物会怎么样？

“

如果一有空，你喜欢做什么？

“

你一听到什么音乐会感到开心？

Journal Prompts

Describe your morning routine using the '一...就...' pattern.
Write about a time you were very excited. What happened immediately?
Explain a simple process, like how to make tea or coffee, using this pattern.
Reflect on how your habits change with the seasons.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

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Test Yourself

Fill in the blank with the correct word.

我一到家___吃饭。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 就
The pattern is 一...就...
Choose the correct sentence. Multiple Choice

Which sentence is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 我一到家就吃饭。
Subject must be before 一.
Reorder the words. Sentence Reorder

Arrange the words in the correct order:

All words placed

Click words above to build the sentence

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 我一到家就吃饭
Correct SVO order.
Find the error. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

他一看到我笑。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 他一看到我就笑。
Missing 就.
Transform the sentence. Sentence Transformation

Change to 一...就...: 我回家，我吃饭。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 我一到家就吃饭。
Correct pattern.
Match the start and end. Match Pairs

Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 就想跳舞
Logical completion.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: 你一有空做什么？ B: ___

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 我一有空就看书。
Logical answer.
Is this true? True False Rule

Can you use 一...就... for past events?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: True
It works for both past and present.

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Fill in the blank with the correct word.

我一到家___吃饭。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 就
The pattern is 一...就...
Choose the correct sentence. Multiple Choice

Which sentence is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 我一到家就吃饭。
Subject must be before 一.
Reorder the words. Sentence Reorder

就 / 我 / 到家 / 一 / 吃饭

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 我一到家就吃饭
Correct SVO order.
Find the error. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

他一看到我笑。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 他一看到我就笑。
Missing 就.
Transform the sentence. Sentence Transformation

Change to 一...就...: 我回家，我吃饭。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 我一到家就吃饭。
Correct pattern.
Match the start and end. Match Pairs

Match: 我一听到音乐...

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 就想跳舞
Logical completion.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: 你一有空做什么？ B: ___

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 我一有空就看书。
Logical answer.
Is this true? True False Rule

Can you use 一...就... for past events?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: True
It works for both past and present.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

10 exercises
Fill in the blanks. Fill in the Blank

{我|wǒ} ___ {喝|hē} {咖啡|kāfēi}，___ {睡|shuì} {不|bù} {着|zháo}。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {一|yī} ... {就|jiù}
Rearrange the words to form a correct sentence. Sentence Reorder

{我|wǒ} / {就|jiù} / {头|tóu} / {一|yī} / {疼|téng} / {想|xiǎng}

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {我|wǒ} {一|yī} {想|xiǎng} {就|jiù} {头|tóu} {疼|téng}。
Identify the correct translation. Multiple Choice

'As soon as you say it, I understand.'

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {你|nǐ} {一|yī} {说|shuō} {我|wǒ} {就|jiù} {懂|dǒng} {了|le}。
Fix the error. Error Correction

{老板|lǎobǎn} {来了|láile} {一|yī}，{大家|dàjiā} {就|jiù} {不|bù} {说话|shuōhuà}。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {老板|lǎobǎn} {一|yī} {来|lái}，{大家|dàjiā} {就|jiù} {不|bù} {说话|shuōhuà}。
Match the sentence parts. Match Pairs

Match the triggers to the results.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ["{\u5929|ti\u0101n} {\u4e00|y\u012b} {\u4eae|li\u00e0ng} -> {\u6211\u4eec|w\u01d2men} {\u5c31|ji\u00f9} {\u51fa\u53d1|ch\u016bf\u0101}","{\u6211|w\u01d2} {\u4e00|y\u012b} {\u8eba|t\u01ceng} {\u4e0b|xi\u00e0} -> {\u5c31|ji\u00f9} {\u7761\u7740|shu\u00eczh\u00e1o}","{\u4ed6|t\u0101} {\u4e00|y\u012b} {\u5f00\u53e3|k\u0101ik\u01d2u} -> {\u5927\u5bb6|d\u00e0ji\u0101} {\u5c31|ji\u00f9} {\u7b11|xi\u00e0o}"]
Complete the sentence. Fill in the Blank

{她|tā} {一|yī} {听|tīng} {音乐|yīnyuè}，___ {开始|kāishǐ} {跳舞|tiàowǔ}。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {就|jiù}
Translate 'As soon as he drinks, his face turns red.' Translation

Translate: As soon as he drinks alcohol, his face turns red.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {他|tā} {一|yī} {喝|hē} {酒|jiǔ} {脸|liǎn} {就|jiù} {红|hóng}。
Select the correct pattern usage. Multiple Choice

Which sentence correctly uses {一|yī}...{就|jiù}?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {我|wǒ} {一|yī} {买|mǎi} {这|zhè} {个|ge}，{就|jiù} {没|méi} {钱|qián} {了|le}。
Put the sentence in order. Sentence Reorder

{就|jiù} / {我|wǒ} / {回家|huíjiā} / {一|yī} / {洗澡|xǐzǎo}

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {我|wǒ} {一|yī} {回家|huíjiā} {就|jiù} {洗澡|xǐzǎo}。
Spot the mistake. Error Correction

{你|nǐ} {一|yī} {去|qù}，{我|wǒ} {去|qù} {就|jiù}。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {你|nǐ} {一|yī} {去|qù}，{我|wǒ} {就|jiù} {去|qù}。

Score: /10

FAQ (8)

Yes, it works for future, present, and past events.

Yes, it is the core of the pattern.

Yes, e.g., '我一到，他就走了'.

It is used in all registers.

It's a common L1 interference; practice makes perfect.

一...就... is time-based; 只要...就... is condition-based.

Yes, it's very common in all types of writing.

You can chain them, but it's better to keep it to two.

Scaffolded Practice

1

1

2

2

3

3

4

4

Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

Sign up free to practice

In Other Languages

Spanish high

Tan pronto como...

Spanish requires verb conjugation, while Chinese does not.

French high

Dès que...

French requires tense agreement.

German high

Sobald...

German word order changes after the conjunction.

Japanese moderate

～と～

Japanese is SOV, Chinese is SVO.

Arabic moderate

بمجرد أن

Arabic has complex gender and number agreement.

Chinese n/a

一...就...

No conjugation makes it easier to learn.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
As Soon As (yī...jiù): Expressing Instant Reactions

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