刚才

Place 刚才 before your verb or at the start of the sentence. You can say 我刚才去了商店 (I just went to the store). You can also say 刚才他在说话 (Just now he was speaking). It acts like a time stamp for your sentence. Unlike some other time words, it is very flexible. You don't need a complex grammar structure to make it work. Just drop it in and you are set.

You use this when a situation changes suddenly. Use it when you missed a phone call by seconds. Use it at a restaurant if the waiter forgot what you ordered. It is perfect for texting a friend who just left. It works well when you are explaining a recent action. If you just ate and someone offers food, use 刚才. It explains why you are full without being rude.

Do not use 刚才 for things that happened yesterday. It is too 'fresh' for that. Also, avoid using it with specific durations like 'for two hours'. You cannot say 刚才我学了两个小时. That sounds like you are time traveling. If the event feels like 'old news,' pick a different word. It is for the 'blink and you missed it' moments. Don't use it in very ancient historical contexts either.

Chinese speakers value the flow of time and context. Using 刚才 helps maintain a smooth conversation. It shows you are paying attention to the immediate environment. In fast-paced cities like Shanghai, people use it constantly. It reflects the busy, 'always-on' nature of modern Chinese life. It is a word that keeps everyone on the same page. It is simple, efficient, and very common in daily life.

You might hear people just say 刚. That is a shorter, punchier version. 刚才 is a noun, while 刚 is an adverb. This means 刚才 can stand alone more easily. You might also hear 方才 in older movies or books. But stick to 刚才 for your daily coffee runs. It is the most natural way to sound like a local.