Just Now: Using 刚才 (Gāngcái) vs 刚 (Gāng)
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use {刚|gāng} for the action itself and {刚才|gāngcái} as a noun-like time reference for 'just now'.
- {刚|gāng} is an adverb: {我|wǒ}{刚|gāng}{到|dào} (I just arrived).
- {刚才|gāngcái} is a time noun: {刚才|gāngcái}{他|tā}{来|lái}{了|le} (He came just now).
- {刚才|gāngcái} can be the subject, {刚|gāng} cannot.
Overview
In Chinese, expressing the concept of "just now" or "a moment ago" involves a critical distinction between two seemingly similar words: 刚才 (gāngcái) and 刚 (gāng). While both convey recency, their grammatical function, semantic scope, and usage nuances differ significantly. Mastering this distinction is fundamental for A2 learners aiming for natural expression in Chinese, as confusing them is a common error.
刚才 (gāngcái) functions primarily as a time noun, much like "yesterday" or "this morning." It specifies a concrete, short period in the immediate past, typically within the last few minutes to an hour, often not exceeding the same day. Its reference to time is objective: it literally means "the moment directly preceding the present."
Conversely, 刚 (gāng) operates as an adverb, modifying verbs or adjectives to emphasize the recency or minimal duration of an action or state. Unlike 刚才, 刚’s temporal scope is subjective and relative. It can indicate an action that happened five minutes ago or five months ago, as long as it's perceived as "just" completed or initiated within a relevant timeframe.
The choice between them often reflects whether you're pinpointing a specific past moment (刚才) or highlighting the freshness of an action (刚).
How This Grammar Works
刚才 (gāngcái) and 刚 (gāng) requires recognizing their distinct grammatical categories: one is a time noun, and the other is an adverb. This difference dictates their placement in a sentence, their ability to be negated, and their interaction with other grammatical elements.刚才 (gāngcái): The Time Noun刚才 literally translates to "just time" or "the time just past." As a time noun, it has a fixed position in the timeline, referring to a period immediately preceding the moment of speaking. Consider it a miniature, flexible timestamp.- Objective Time Reference:
刚才refers to a specific, relatively short, and objectively defined period in the recent past. It's about when something happened. For instance, if you say他刚才打电话了 (Tā gāngcái dǎ diànhuà le), you are indicating that he made a phone call at a specific moment just before now, perhaps within the last 15-60 minutes. It doesn't typically extend beyond the same day. - Flexibility in Sentence Position: Like other time nouns (
今天 (jīntiān),昨天 (zuótiān)),刚才can appear before the subject or immediately after the subject, but generally before the predicate. - Ability to Modify Nouns: Because it's a noun,
刚才can function as an attribute modifying other nouns with the possessive particle的 (de). This is a clear indicator of its noun status. - Negation: To negate an action that happened
刚才, you use没 (méi)(or没有 (méiyǒu)) before the verb, for example,我刚才没听懂 (Wǒ gāngcái méi tīng dǒng). It cannot be negated directly with不 (bù)in the sense of "not just now."
刚 (gāng): The Adverb刚 signifies that an action or event occurred a very short time ago, or that a state has just begun. Its focus is on the shortness of the interval between the action's completion/initiation and the point of reference (usually the present or another past event).- Subjective Duration:
刚emphasizes the psychological sense of "newness" or "freshness" of an action or state. The actual duration can vary greatly. For a traveler,我刚到北京 (Wǒ gāng dào Běijīng)could mean they arrived five minutes ago or even a few days ago, implying their arrival is a very recent event in the context of their trip. The recency is relative. - Fixed Adverbial Position: As an adverb,
刚must be placed directly before the verb or adjective it modifies. It cannot precede the subject. - Inability to Modify Nouns:
刚cannot directly modify nouns with的 (de)because it is not a noun. You cannot say刚的电影. - Negation: You typically negate the action that
刚modifies using没 (méi)(e.g.,他刚没吃完饭 (Tā gāng méi chī wán fàn)– he just didn't finish eating). However,刚itself cannot be negated with不 (bù)in the sense of "not just." If you want to say something isn't recent, you would use a different structure or adverb. - Interaction with
了 (le):刚often appears with了 (le)to indicate the completion of the action it modifies, for example,我刚吃了午饭 (Wǒ gāng chī le wǔfàn). This了emphasizes completion, not necessarily the timeframe.
Formation Pattern
刚才 (gāngcái) and 刚 (gāng) lead to different sentence structures. Understanding these patterns is key to using them correctly.
刚才 (gāngcái) (Time Noun):
刚才 + Verb Phrase | 我刚才去洗手间了。 | Wǒ gāngcái qù xǐshǒujiān le. | I just went to the restroom. |
刚才 + Subject + Verb Phrase | 刚才谁敲门了？ | Gāngcái shéi qiāo mén le? | Who knocked on the door just now? |
刚才 + 的 + Noun | 你喜欢刚才的咖啡吗？ | Nǐ xǐhuān gāngcái de kāfēi ma? | Do you like the coffee from just now? |
比) | S + 比 + 刚才 + Adj. | 现在比刚才冷。 | Xiànzài bǐ gāngcái lěng. | It's colder now than just now. |
没) | Subject + 刚才 + 没 + Verb Phrase | 我刚才没听清楚。 | Wǒ gāngcái méi tīng qīngchu. | I didn't hear clearly just now. |
刚才 in position (before or after the subject) mirrors other Chinese time nouns. Its ability to take 的 and be part of comparisons further solidifies its noun status. Pay attention to how it interacts with aspect particles like 了 (le) to indicate completion of the action occurring 刚才.
刚 (gāng) (Adverb):
刚 + Verb/Adj. | 我刚来，不知道。 | Wǒ gāng lái, bù zhīdào. | I just arrived, I don't know. |
了 | Subject + 刚 + Verb + 了 | 他刚吃了饭。 | Tā gāng chī le fàn. | He just ate. |
刚 + Verb + Duration (e.g., 一会儿) | 他刚走一会儿。 | Tā gāng zǒu yīhuìr. | He just left a moment ago. |
没) | Subject + 刚 + 没 + Verb Phrase | 我刚没看到他。 | Wǒ gāng méi kàn dào tā. | I just didn't see him. |
刚's position is much more rigid, always preceding the verb or adjective it modifies. It cannot precede the subject. Its emphasis is on the recency of the action itself, not on a specific point in time. While 了 often follows the verb 刚 modifies, it indicates completion, not the "just now" aspect of 刚 itself. For instance, 我刚毕业 (Wǒ gāng bìyè) means "I just graduated," where "just" could refer to last week or last year, depending on context, but the act of graduating is still fresh in the speaker's mind.
When To Use It
刚才 (gāngcái) and 刚 (gāng) hinges on whether you want to refer to a specific, objective moment in the very recent past or emphasize the subjective recency of an action or state.刚才 (gāngcái) when:- Pinpointing an Objective Moment: You are referring to a concrete, fixed time point or short duration that immediately preceded the present, usually within the same day. Think of it as a clear "timestamp."
你刚才去哪儿了？ (Nǐ gāngcái qù nǎr le?)– Where did you go just now? (Asking about a specific, recent past action.)我刚才看到她了。 (Wǒ gāngcái kàn dào tā le.)– I saw her just a moment ago. (Reporting a factual event at a specific recent time.)- Referring to the Subject of a Past Event: Since
刚才is a noun, it can define the origin or context of something that existed or happened in that recent past moment. 刚才的雨下得很大。 (Gāngcái de yǔ xià de hěn dà.)– The rain from just now was very heavy. (Describing an aspect of the past moment itself.)- Making Comparisons to the Immediate Past: When comparing the current state to the state that existed a few moments ago.
屋子里现在比刚才暖和多了。 (Wūzi lǐ xiànzài bǐ gāngcái nuǎnhuo duō le.)– It's much warmer in the room now than it was just now. (Direct comparison to the recent past.)- Negating an Event in the Immediate Past: When you want to state that something did not happen in that specific recent time frame.
我刚才没听见你说什么。 (Wǒ gāngcái méi tīngjiàn nǐ shuō shénme.)– I didn't hear what you said just now. (Specifically denying hearing at that recent moment.)
刚 (gāng) when:- Emphasizing Recency/Freshness of an Action: The primary focus is on the action itself having just occurred or started, regardless of how long ago it objectively was. The duration is relative.
我刚买了一辆新车。 (Wǒ gāng mǎi le yī liàng xīnchē.)– I just bought a new car. (Could be yesterday or last week, but the purchase is still a fresh event.)他刚学会开车。 (Tā gāng xuéhuì kāichē.)– He just learned to drive. (Emphasizes the newness of the skill, not necessarily the exact moment of learning.)- Highlighting Minimal Duration: To stress that an action has only been ongoing for a very short time, implying it might still be in progress or its effects are very current.
这道菜我刚做好。 (Zhè dào cài wǒ gāng zuò hǎo.)– I just finished making this dish. (Implies it's fresh and ready.)- Stating a Recent Arrival or Departure: Often used for actions related to moving or changing locations.
你刚到吗？ (Nǐ gāng dào ma?)– Did you just arrive? (In a casual meeting, asking if someone has recently come.)- Followed by a Duration: When you want to specify how long an action has just been completed for, or just started for.
我刚等你五分钟。 (Wǒ gāng děng nǐ wǔ fēnzhōng.)– I've only just waited for you for five minutes. (Emphasizes the short waiting period.)
Common Mistakes
刚才 (gāngcái) and 刚 (gāng) due to their similar English translations, but their distinct grammatical roles lead to specific error patterns. Recognizing these will help you avoid miscommunication.- Confusing Time Noun vs. Adverbial Placement: This is the most prevalent error. Because
刚才is a time noun, it can precede the subject or come after it (but before the verb).刚, as an adverb, must always precede the verb or adjective. - ❌ Incorrect:
刚我打电话了。 (*Gāng wǒ dǎ diànhuà le.)(Cannot put刚before the subject.) - ✅ Correct:
我刚打电话了。 (Wǒ gāng dǎ diànhuà le.)– I just made a phone call. (Emphasizes the recency of the action.) - ✅ Correct:
刚才我打电话了。 (Gāngcái wǒ dǎ diànhuà le.)– Just now I made a phone call. (Specifies the time.)
- Using
刚to Modify Nouns: Since刚is an adverb, it cannot directly modify nouns.刚才, as a time noun, can. - ❌ Incorrect:
你喜欢刚的电影吗？ (*Nǐ xǐhuān gāng de diànyǐng ma?) - ✅ Correct:
你喜欢刚才的电影吗？ (Nǐ xǐhuān gāngcái de diànyǐng ma?)– Do you like the movie from just now? (刚才modifies电影via的.)
- Incorrect Negation:
刚才can be negated with没 (méi)to deny an action at that specific time.刚typically implies an action has happened recently; negating刚directly with不 (bù)is ungrammatical. If you want to say something isn't recent, you restructure the sentence. - ❌ Incorrect:
我刚不听懂。 (*Wǒ gāng bù tīng dǒng.) - ✅ Correct:
我刚才没听懂。 (Wǒ gāngcái méi tīng dǒng.)– I didn't understand just now. (没negates the verb听懂within the刚才timeframe.) - ✅ Correct (to convey not recent):
我不是刚到的。 (Wǒ bú shì gāng dào de.)– I didn't just arrive. (Using不是...的structure to negate the刚part.)
- Overextending the Time Scope of
刚才: Remember,刚才refers to the immediate past, typically within the same day. Using it for events that happened yesterday or last week is incorrect. - ❌ Incorrect:
我刚才毕业了。 (*Wǒ gāngcái bìyè le.)(If graduation was months ago.) - ✅ Correct:
我刚毕业了。 (Wǒ gāng bìyè le.)– I just graduated. (刚emphasizes the recency, even if objectively not "moments ago.")
- Redundant
了with刚: While刚often co-occurs with了, they serve different functions.刚marks recency, and了marks completion or change of state. Don't assume了is always required with刚if the completion is not the focus. 我刚到。 (Wǒ gāng dào.)– I just arrived. (Simple statement of recent arrival.)我刚到了。 (Wǒ gāng dào le.)– I just arrived (and now I'm here/it's done). (Emphasizes the completion of arrival and its current state.)
Real Conversations
In everyday Chinese, 刚才 (gāngcái) and 刚 (gāng) are used subtly to convey different shades of meaning. Observing their use in authentic contexts reveals how native speakers make these distinctions in text messages, quick chats, and social media interactions.
Scenario 1
- Message 1 (Friend A to B): 你刚才在忙什么？ (Nǐ gāngcái zài máng shénme?)
- Translation: What were you busy with just now?
- Analysis: Friend A uses 刚才 to inquire about Friend B's activity during a specific, brief period right before the message. It's an objective time query.
- Message 2 (Friend B to A): 我刚看完一个短视频，太搞笑了！ (Wǒ gāng kàn wán yī gè duǎn shìpín, tài gǎoxiào le!)
- Translation: I just finished watching a short video, it was so funny!
- Analysis: Friend B uses 刚 to emphasize the recency of completing the action (看完), highlighting that the video is still fresh in their mind. The "just" here could be 1 minute or 10 minutes, but the key is the newness of the finished action.
Scenario 2
- Person A: 咖啡怎么卖完了？我刚才还看见有呢！ (Kāfēi zěnme mài wán le? Wǒ gāngcái hái kànjiàn yǒu ne!)
- Translation: How is the coffee sold out? I just saw some a moment ago!
- Analysis: Person A uses 刚才 to point to a specific, recent observation (还看见有呢), emphasizing that at that precise moment in the immediate past, coffee was available. This sets up a contrast with the current situation.
- Person B: 是啊，我们刚卖完最后一杯。 (Shì a, wǒmen gāng mài wán zuì hòu yī bēi.)
- Translation: Yes, we just sold the last cup.
- Analysis: Person B uses 刚 to stress the recency of the action of selling out (卖完), implying that it happened very recently. The emphasis is on the action's completion, making it a current, fresh piece of information.
Scenario 3
- Post: 这首歌真好听，单曲循环中！ (Zhè shǒu gē zhēn hǎotīng, dān qǔ xúnhuán zhōng!) – This song is so good, on repeat!
- Comment 1: 我刚才也听了！爱了爱了！ (Wǒ gāngcái yě tīng le! Ài le ài le!)
- Translation: I also listened to it just now! Love it, love it!
- Analysis: User uses 刚才 to state that at a specific recent point in time, they also performed the action of listening. It confirms their listening occurred in the immediate past.
- Comment 2: 这首歌刚火起来就这么多人喜欢。 (Zhè shǒu gē gāng huǒ qǐlái jiù zhème duō rén xǐhuān.)
- Translation: This song just got popular, and so many people already like it.
- Analysis: User uses 刚 to highlight the recency of the song's rise in popularity (火起来), emphasizing that this state is new and fresh, even if the "just" could span a few days or weeks.
These examples show that 刚才 frames the event within a precise, objective time slot, while 刚 focuses on the freshness or newness of the action itself, often implying a psychological immediacy rather than strict chronological proximity.
Quick FAQ
刚才 (gāngcái) and 刚 (gāng) that learners often ask, along with clear answers to solidify your understanding.- Q: Can
刚才 (gāngcái)refer to something that happened yesterday or last week? - A: No.
刚才strictly refers to a moment in the immediate past, typically within the last few minutes or hours of the same day. Using it for events further back in time would be incorrect. For example, you cannot say我刚才去了北京if you went to Beijing last month. Instead, you might use我上个月刚去了北京 (Wǒ shàng gè yuè gāng qù le Běijīng)to emphasize the recency relative to your experience.
- Q: Does
了 (le)always have to follow the verb when using刚才or刚? - A: Not necessarily, but it is very common, especially with
刚.了 (le)indicates the completion of an action or a change of state. While刚才inherently refers to a past event, and刚to a recently completed action,了adds an explicit aspect of completion. If the focus is purely on the action occurring at that time,了might be omitted, especially in very casual speech or when the action is still ongoing at the end of the刚才period. However, with刚,了is frequently used to confirm that the recently initiated action has indeed reached completion, e.g.,我刚吃完饭 (Wǒ gāng chī wán fàn).
- Q: Can
刚才 (gāngcái)modify nouns directly (e.g., "just now's coffee")? - A: Yes. Since
刚才is a time noun, it can function as an attribute modifying other nouns by using the possessive particle的 (de). For example,刚才的咖啡 (gāngcái de kāfēi)means "the coffee from just now." Similarly,刚才的事 (gāngcái de shì)means "the matter/thing from just now."
- Q: Can
刚 (gāng)modify nouns directly? - A: No.
刚is an adverb, so it cannot directly modify nouns. You cannot say刚的咖啡. If you need to describe something from a recent time,刚才的would be the correct construction.
- Q: What about
刚刚 (gānggāng)? Is it different from刚 (gāng)? - A:
刚刚 (gānggāng)is generally a more emphatic form of刚 (gāng). It strongly stresses the absolute recency of an action or event. While刚can have a relative sense of "just,"刚刚often implies "just this very moment" or "just a blink of an eye ago." Grammatically,刚刚functions similarly to刚as an adverb, appearing before the verb/adjective. For instance,我刚刚到 (Wǒ gānggāng dào)feels slightly more immediate than我刚到 (Wǒ gāng dào).
- Q: Can
刚才and刚be used in the same sentence? - A: It's uncommon to use them to describe the same action due to their distinct roles. However, you could use them in a sentence that contrasts two different events or phases. For example,
我刚才很困，但刚喝了咖啡，现在精神多了。(Wǒ gāngcái hěn kùn, dàn gāng hē le kāfēi, xiànzài jīngshén duō le.)– I was very sleepy just now, but I just drank coffee, and now I'm much more energetic. Here,刚才sets a specific past state, and刚marks the recent action that changed that state.
Formation Comparison
| Word | Category | Position | Negative Allowed? | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
刚
|
Adverb
|
Before Verb
|
No
|
我刚走
|
|
刚才
|
Time Noun
|
Start/Subject
|
Yes
|
刚才我没走
|
Meanings
Both terms indicate an action happened in the immediate past, but they function differently grammatically.
Immediate Past
Actions completed very recently.
“{他|tā}{刚|gāng}{走|zǒu}。”
“{刚才|gāngcái}{谁|shéi}{打|dǎ}{电话|diànhuà}？”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative (刚)
|
Subj + 刚 + Verb
|
我刚吃
|
|
Affirmative (刚才)
|
刚才 + Subj + Verb
|
刚才我吃
|
|
Negative (刚才)
|
刚才 + Subj + 没 + Verb
|
刚才我没吃
|
|
Question (刚才)
|
刚才 + Subj + Verb + 吗?
|
刚才你吃了吗?
|
|
Time Reference
|
刚才 + Time
|
刚才五分钟前
|
Formality Spectrum
我刚才抵达。 (Arrival)
我刚到。 (Arrival)
我刚到。 (Arrival)
刚到。 (Arrival)
Usage Map
Action Focus
- 刚 Adverb
Time Focus
- 刚才 Noun
Grammar Comparison
Examples by Level
{我|wǒ}{刚|gāng}{来|lái}。
I just came.
{刚才|gāngcái}{他|tā}{在|zài}。
He was here just now.
{你|nǐ}{刚|gāng}{吃|chī}{吗|ma}？
Did you just eat?
{刚才|gāngcái}{很|hěn}{冷|lěng}。
It was cold just now.
{我|wǒ}{刚|gāng}{做|zuò}{完|wán}{作业|zuòyè}。
I just finished my homework.
{刚才|gāngcái}{你|nǐ}{去|qù}{哪儿|nǎr}{了|le}？
Where did you go just now?
{他|tā}{刚|gāng}{买|mǎi}{了|le}{一|yī}{个|gè}{手机|shǒujī}。
He just bought a phone.
{刚才|gāngcái}{我|wǒ}{没|méi}{看|kàn}{见|jiàn}{你|nǐ}。
I didn't see you just now.
{刚才|gāngcái}{那|nà}{个|gè}{人|rén}{说|shuō}{了|le}{什|shén}{么|me}？
What did that person say just now?
{我|wǒ}{刚|gāng}{想|xiǎng}{起|qǐ}{来|lái}{这|zhè}{件|jiàn}{事|shì}。
I just remembered this matter.
{刚才|gāngcái}{的|de}{电|diàn}{影|yǐng}{真|zhēn}{好|hǎo}{看|kàn}。
The movie just now was really good.
{他|tā}{刚|gāng}{下|xià}{飞|fēi}{机|jī}。
He just got off the plane.
{刚才|gāngcái}{我|wǒ}{还|hái}{在|zài}{想|xiǎng}{这|zhè}{个|gè}{问|wèn}{题|tí}。
I was still thinking about this problem just now.
{我|wǒ}{刚|gāng}{才|cái}{到|dào}{办|bàn}{公|gōng}{室|shì}。
I just arrived at the office.
{刚才|gāngcái}{的|de}{情|qíng}{况|kuàng}{很|hěn}{紧|jǐn}{急|jí}。
The situation just now was very urgent.
{他|tā}{刚|gāng}{才|cái}{走|zǒu}{就|jiù}{下|xià}{雨|yǔ}{了|le}。
It started raining just after he left.
{刚才|gāngcái}{那|nà}{番|fān}{话|huà}{让|ràng}{我|wǒ}{很|hěn}{感|gǎn}{动|dòng}。
Those words just now moved me deeply.
{我|wǒ}{刚|gāng}{才|cái}{经|jīng}{历|lì}{了|le}{一|yī}{场|chǎng}{面|miàn}{试|shì}。
I just went through an interview.
{刚才|gāngcái}{你|nǐ}{提|tí}{到|dào}{的|de}{观|guān}{点|diǎn}{很|hěn}{有|yǒu}{趣|qù}。
The point you mentioned just now is very interesting.
{他|tā}{刚|gāng}{才|cái}{完|wán}{成|chéng}{了|le}{这|zhè}{项|xiàng}{任|rèn}{务|wù}。
He just completed this task.
{刚才|gāngcái}{所|suǒ}{发|fā}{生|shēng}{的|de}{一|yī}{切|qiè}{都|dōu}{是|shì}{误|wù}{会|huì}。
Everything that happened just now was a misunderstanding.
{我|wǒ}{刚|gāng}{才|cái}{才|cái}{意|yì}{识|shi}{到|dào}{自|zì}{己|jǐ}{的|de}{错|cuò}{误|wù}。
I only just realized my mistake.
{刚|gāng}{才|cái}{的|de}{那|nà}{场|chǎng}{演|yǎn}{讲|jiǎng}{令|lìng}{人|rén}{深|shēn}{刻|kè}。
The speech just now was profound.
{他|tā}{刚|gāng}{才|cái}{离|lí}{开|kāi}{，|，}{你|nǐ}{就|jiù}{来|lái}{了|le}。
He just left, and then you arrived.
Easily Confused
They are almost identical.
Adding 才 emphasizes the 'only just'.
Adverb vs Noun.
Common Mistakes
刚我吃饭
我刚吃饭
刚才吃饭
我刚才吃饭
刚五分钟前
刚才五分钟前
我刚没吃
我刚才没吃
刚去哪儿了
刚才去哪儿了
刚才我刚走
刚才我走了
他刚没来
他刚才没来
刚的电影
刚才的电影
刚才他刚到
刚才他到了
刚在睡觉
刚才在睡觉
刚所说的话
刚才所说的话
刚的建议
刚才的建议
刚没完成
刚才没完成
Sentence Patterns
我 ___ ___。
___ 我 ___ 了。
___ 的 ___ 真好。
他 ___ ___，我就来了。
Real World Usage
我刚到。
刚才看了电影。
我刚才完成了任务。
我刚下飞机。
刚送到。
刚才老师说了什么？
Check the Verb
No Negation
Time Noun
Regional Variation
Smart Tips
Use 刚 + Verb.
Use 刚才.
Use 刚才.
Use 刚才.
Pronunciation
Tones
Both are first tone (gāng) or first/neutral (gāngcái).
Statement
我刚到 ↓
Falling tone for finality.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
刚 is for the action (Gāng = Go), 刚才 is for the time (Cái = Clock).
Visual Association
Imagine a sprinter (刚) exploding from the blocks (the verb). Imagine a clock (刚才) ticking on the wall behind the person.
Rhyme
刚在动词前，刚才时间点。
Story
Xiao Ming just arrived (刚到). He looks at the clock. 'Just now' (刚才) he was at home. He tells his friend, 'I just (刚) finished my work.'
Word Web
Challenge
Write 3 sentences about what you did in the last 10 minutes using both words.
Cultural Notes
Used constantly in daily life.
Similar usage, but '刚刚' is more frequent.
Often translate 'just' directly.
刚 comes from 'hard/firm'.
Conversation Starters
你刚做了什么？
刚才谁给你打电话？
你刚吃完饭吗？
刚才的会议怎么样？
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
我 ___ 到了。
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
刚我没吃。
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
I just arrived.
Answer starts with: 我刚到...
___ 你去哪儿了？
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
刚五分钟前发生。
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercises我 ___ 到了。
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
刚我没吃。
刚才 / 我 / 走 / 了
I just arrived.
___ 你去哪儿了？
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
刚五分钟前发生。
Score: /8
Practice Bank
10 exercises{刚才|gāngcái} / {谁|shéi} / {来|lái} / {了|le} / ？
{这|Zhè} {是|shì} {我|wǒ} ___ {拍|pāi} {的|de} {照片|zhàopiàn}。
I was busy just now.
{他|Tā} {刚|gāng} {不在|búzài} {办公室|bàngōngshì}。
Select the best option:
Match the phrases:
{对不起|Duìbuqǐ}，{我|wǒ} ___ {没|méi} {听见|tīngjiàn}。
{刚才|Gāngcái} {我看|wǒkàn} {那个|nàge} {电影|diànyǐng} {了|le}。
{刚才|Gāngcái} / {天气|tiānqì} / {的|de} / {太|tài} / {差|chà} / {了|le}
{我|Wǒ} ___ {做|zuò} {完|wán} {作业|zuòyè} {了|le}。
Score: /10
FAQ (8)
No, it's redundant. Use one or the other.
Yes, it must be placed before the verb.
Yes, e.g., 刚才我没去.
刚 is for affirmative actions only.
Yes, it acts as a time noun.
Both are neutral, but 刚才 is slightly more flexible.
No, use 刚才.
It's a reduplicated form of 刚, very common in speech.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Acabar de + infinitivo
Spanish uses a verb phrase.
Venir de + infinitif
French uses 'venir'.
Gerade
German is an adverb.
たった今
Japanese uses a specific phrase.
للتو
Arabic is a particle.
刚
None.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Related Grammar Rules
Golden Rule: Time Before Verb
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Chinese Grammar: 'Just Now' (`刚`)
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Chinese Time Duration: How Long with 'le'
Overview Mastering duration expressions in Chinese is pivotal for intermediate (B1) learners. Unlike many Indo-European...
Doing things again with Zài (再)
Overview `再 (zài)` is a pivotal adverb in Chinese, fundamentally meaning **"again," "once more,"** or **"in addition."*...
Chinese Dates & Calendar: Year, Month, Day
Overview Chinese date and calendar expressions operate on a highly logical and consistent principle: **from general to s...
