A2 adverb Neutral #1,000 most common 1 min read

早就

zǎojiù /zɑʊ̯ tɕi̯ɔʊ̯/

Use '早就' to emphasize that something happened or was true much earlier than expected or now.

Word in 30 Seconds

  • Indicates something happened long ago.
  • Emphasizes an action or state was early.
  • Common in everyday spoken Chinese.

Overview

“早就”是一个非常常用的副词,用来表示某事发生的时间比现在或某个参考点要早得多,或者在过去某个时候已经完成了。它带有一定的强调意味,表明事情并非刚刚发生,而是已经过去了一段时间。这个词在日常交流中非常普遍,能够帮助说话者准确地表达时间的流逝和事情的既定状态。

“早就”通常放在动词前面,用来修饰动词,表示动作的提前性。例如,“我早就知道这个消息了。”这里的“早就”修饰“知道”,表示“知道”这个动作发生的时间比较早。

它也可以放在形容词前面,表示某种状态的持续或很早就存在。例如,“这个问题早就存在了。”这里的“早就”修饰“存在”,表示“存在”这个状态已经持续了一段时间。

此外,“早就”还可以与“了”连用,构成“早就……了”的结构,进一步强调事情的久远或已经完成。例如,“他早就走了。”这种结构在口语中非常常见。

“早就”经常出现在日常对话中,用于谈论过去发生的事情、表达对某事的了解程度、或者说明某个情况的持续时间。

与“早就”意义相近但用法略有不同的词包括“早已”和“老早”。

“早已”与“早就”意思非常接近,都表示时间早,但“早已”的语体色彩更偏向书面语,听起来更正式一些,在口语中不如“早就”那么常用。

“老早”则是一个更口语化的表达,带有更强的语气,有时甚至略显随意,通常用于非正式场合,并且强调时间非常非常早。例如,“我老早就在等你了!”

相比之下,“早就”则是一个通用性很强的词,适用于大多数场合,既可以用于口语,也可以用于一般的书面语,表达的强调程度适中。

Examples

1

我早就告诉过你了,不要去那里。

everyday

I told you long ago not to go there.

2

这个问题早就应该解决了。

formal

This problem should have been solved long ago.

3

这件衣服我早就穿腻了。

informal

I've been sick of wearing this dress for ages.

4

该项目早就被列入了研究计划。

academic

This project was listed in the research plan long ago.

Common Collocations

早就知道 to know long ago
早就说过 to have said long ago
早就应该 should have long ago
早就来了 to have arrived long ago

Common Phrases

我早就知道

I knew it long ago

早就说过了

I've already said it

早就该

should have long ago

Often Confused With

早就 vs 早已

'早已' is more formal and literary than '早就'. While they both mean 'long ago', '早已' is preferred in written Chinese or more formal speeches.

早就 vs 老早

'老早' is a very colloquial and emphatic expression for 'very long ago'. It's used in casual conversation and implies an even earlier time than '早就'.

Grammar Patterns

Subject + 早就 + Verb + (Object) + (了) Subject + 早就 + Adjective + (了)

How to Use It

Usage Notes

Use '早就' to emphasize that an action or state occurred significantly earlier than the present or a reference point. It is very common in spoken Mandarin. While acceptable in general writing, opt for '早已' in more formal or literary contexts.


Common Mistakes

Confusing '早就' with words indicating immediate past like '刚刚' (just now). Remember '早就' always refers to a time further back. Also, ensure it modifies the verb or adjective appropriately, usually preceding it.

Tips

💡

Emphasize Past Events

Use '早就' to highlight that an event occurred much earlier than the present moment.

⚠️

Avoid Overuse in Formal Writing

While common, '早就' can sound a bit too colloquial for very formal written documents. Consider '早已' instead.

🌍

Expressing Familiarity

Using '早就' can subtly convey a sense of familiarity or prior knowledge, implying you're not surprised by current events.

Word Origin

The word '早就' combines '早' (early) and '就' (then, already). '早' indicates earliness in time, while '就' reinforces the completion or existence of that state at that earlier time, often with a sense of inevitability or expectation.

Cultural Context

The concept of time and acknowledging past events or knowledge is important in Chinese culture. Using '早就' can reflect a sense of foresight or shared understanding based on past experiences.

Memory Tip

Think of '早' (early) and how '就' (then, precisely) emphasizes that this earliness has already happened. 'I knew it early on!'

Frequently Asked Questions

4 questions

“早就”更口语化,使用范围更广。“早已”更书面化,语气稍显正式。在日常交流中,“早就”更常用。

可以。例如,“这个问题早就存在了。”这里“早就”修饰动词“存在”,但表达的是一种状态的久远。

不一定,但“早就……了”的结构非常常见,能更好地强调时间上的久远或事情的完成。单独使用“早就”也可以,例如“我早就知道。”

是的,当你想表达“我一点也不惊讶,因为我早就知道了”的意思时,就可以用“早就”。例如,“他升职了?我早就知道了。”

Test Yourself

fill blank

我______知道他会来。

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 早就

“早就”表示“很早以前”,符合句意,表示说话人很早以前就知道他会来。

multiple choice

他早就到了。

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 他很早以前就到了。

“早就”表示时间早,所以“他很早以前就到了”是正确的解释。

sentence building

请用以下词语组成一个通顺的句子:早就,我,这个,知道,消息。

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 我早就知道这个消息。

“早就”作为副词,通常放在动词“知道”前面,修饰动作的发生时间。

Score: /3

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