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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nHow To Use \u5c31 in Chinese<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
People will always ask what does \u5c31 mean or when\/how do I use \u5c31? These questions seem simple, but they do not have an easy answer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u5c31 (ji\u00f9) definitely is an easily misunderstood Chinese character. Why? It is because \u5c31 is a word that doesn’t have a direct translation in English. What we can do is understand it with the context clue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We\u2019ll look at the common ways to use \u201c\u5c31\u201d in this article. Let\u2019s dive deep!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u5c31 As “Only” or “Just”<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\u5c31 is frequently used as an informal way during our daily life. It is used to say “only” or “just.”<\/strong> It also emphasizes the “smallness”<\/strong> of the noun that comes after \u5c31.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here is the example sentence:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u6211\u5c31\u53ea\u6709\u4e24\u4e2a\u670b\u53cb\u3002 In this case, “\u5c31” will be a direct substitute for the phrase. Look at the example, if we used only \u201c\u6211\u6709\u4e24\u4e2a\u670b\u53cb\u3002” (I have two friends.) We only know the plain fact that I have two friends. But what is it trying to say aside?<\/p>\n\n\n\n But when we add \u201c\u5c31” inside, we will know that this sentence is trying to highlight the fact. \u201cI only have two friends, not too many or not enough.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n “\u5c31” is also regularly used to show the immediacy of one action after another<\/strong>. Note that the second action must directly follow the first one for you to use “\u5c31.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Let’s have a look at the sample sentences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u5403\u5b8c\u996d\u540e\u6211\u5c31\u76f4\u63a5\u56de\u5bb6\u4e86\u3002 Here is another way to translate this sentence. “As soon as I finished eating, I came home.” In this translation, the meaning for \u201c\u5c31” will be as soon as.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “\u5c31\u201c sometimes is used to affirm or emphasize a certain action.<\/strong> In this case, \u201c\u5c31\u201d will be translated as “just.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here is an example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u6211\u5c31\u662f\u4e0d\u5403\u996d\u3002 In this method, “\u5c31” sounds frank and stubborn. It seems like when a small kid is refusing to eat his meal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Usually, the dialogue starts with “\u6211\u4e0d\u5403 – I won\u2019t eat.” When parents try to further convince the child to eat, we will add \u5c31 into the sentences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It looks similar to the meaning “as soon as” <\/strong>mentioned in example 2. It also means how early action is. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n In this case, “\u5c31” is the opposite of the word \u201c\u624d (c\u00e1i),\u201d which \u624d implies that an action is late.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Below is the sample sentence:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u5979\u5341\u4e03\u5c81\u5c31\u5927\u5b66\u6bd5\u4e1a\u4e86\u3002 There are different translations for this sentence. It isn’t the perfect one. But adding \u201c\u5c31\u201d shows that she graduated from university early. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Now, let’s have a look at the opposite example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u5979\u4e09\u5341\u5c81\u624d\u5927\u5b66\u6bd5\u4e1a\u3002 In this method, \u201c\u624d\u201d shows us that she was late to graduate from university.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We could also use “\u5c31” to express indifference towards someone else\u2019s actions<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Let’s have a look at the sample:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u4e0d\u5403\u5c31\u4e0d\u5403\u3002 Look, this \u201c\u5c31\u201d brings out an “I don’t care” attitude. It also indicates the indifference ” It doesn’t affect me even if you don’t eat.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n You could use this sample sentence of “\u4e0d\u5403\u5c31\u4e0d\u5403\u201cwith the example 3 too. Altogether, the conversation would be:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u6211\u5c31\u662f\u4e0d\u5403\u996d\u3002 \u4e0d\u5403\u5c31\u4e0d\u5403\u3002 Now, let’s have a look at the usage of \u5c31.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We could put \u201c\u5c31\u201d before a verb to emphasize the verb.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Michael\u662f\u8c01\uff1f\u5c31\u662f\u4ed6\u3002 It is one of the common meanings for \u5c31.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In this case, we will put \u201c\u5c31\u201c after the time word.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is significant to learn \u5c31 as it is a common character that you will find in your sentence. As you can see above, this Chinese character has many uses. That is what makes it interesting, isn\u2019t it?<\/p>\n\n\n\n I hope this article helps you understand the character \u201c\u5c31\u201d better. We always wish to help you gain more knowledge with these fun Chinese grammar. Subscribe to us for more interesting bite-sized Chinese lessons! You can also check out the articles below about Chinese learning:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
(w\u01d2 ji\u00f9 zh\u01d0 y\u01d2u li\u01ceng g\u00e8 p\u00e9ng you.)
I only have two friends.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n\u5c31 As “Then,” For Events in Quick Succession<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
(ch\u012b w\u00e1n f\u00e0n h\u00f2u w\u01d2 ji\u00f9 zh\u00ed ji\u0113 hu\u00ed ji\u0101 le.)
After eating then, I went straight home.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n\u5c31 As Affirmation or Emphasis<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
(w\u01d2 ji\u00f9 sh\u00ec b\u00f9 ch\u012b f\u00e0n.)
I just won’t eat.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n![](\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/T_ZQ2BwVrzyuxq2HaZ6Hh2b-QsTXAFMEjv44PXnEfHNkDpELG0hl24ud2Y3-YZyJTZLmrXiCGus9K2uSGSRmI9Dsy-FXNzqnvT1i28GAkWbxLnMkqirSuuy923MielZ26s5nh93w\")
\u5c31 As “Already”<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
(t\u0101 sh\u00ed q\u012b su\u00ec ji\u00f9 d\u00e0 xu\u00e9 b\u00ec y\u00e8 le.)
She was seventeen, and she had already graduated from university.
She was only at the age of seventeen when she graduated from university.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
(t\u0101 s\u0101n sh\u00ed w\u01d4 su\u00ec c\u00e1i d\u00e0 xu\u00e9 b\u00ec y\u00e8.)
She only graduated from college at the age of thirty.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n\u5c31 As Expressing Indifference<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
(b\u00f9 ch\u012b ji\u00f9 b\u00f9 ch\u012b)
Just don’t eat if you don’t want.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
(I just won’t eat.)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
(Just don’t eat if you don’t want.)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/XnVbFwTDi41vls3wd1FA4u-cZcGycDpONNnjxLFOhO1LOPzLlvEmS44lPznDPuMjvkgSsJ7DG9RU23fp1ZbiitsW-oAAI2Cu2y-IrCP-xRtZ_D5Z1xPOh_ILexURZV8w9ol0_czZ\")
Use \u5c31 (ji\u00f9) to Emphasize a Verb<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
(Michael sh\u00ec sh\u00e9i? ji\u00f9 sh\u00ec t\u0101.)
Who is Michael? He is Michael.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n\u5c31 Signals an Action Takes Only a Short Amount of Time<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
(l\u00e1n qi\u00fa ch\u01ceng l\u00ed zh\u00e8r b\u00f9 yu\u01cen, z\u01d2u l\u00f9 \u00e8r sh\u00ed f\u0113n zh\u014dng ji\u00f9 d\u00e0o le.\uff09
The basketball court is not far from here. It only took 20 minutes to walk there.
<\/li>
(z\u01ceo shang 9 di\u01cen sh\u00e0ng k\u00e8, t\u0101 8 di\u01cen ji\u00f9 d\u00e0o ji\u00e0o sh\u00ec le.)
The class starts at 9 a.m., and he already arrives in the classroom at 8 o\u2019clock.
<\/li>
(t\u0101 s\u0101n f\u0113n zh\u014dng ji\u00f9 ch\u012b w\u00e1n le.)
He finished his meal in just three minutes.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\nUse \u5c31 (ji\u00f9) to Emphasize an Action that Will Happen Soon<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
(d\u011bng w\u01d2 y\u012b xi\u00e0, w\u01d2 ji\u00f9 l\u00e1i h\u01ceo le.)
Just wait for me, I’ll be there.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n\u5c31 (ji\u00f9) Signals an Action Happened Earlier than Expected<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
(w\u01d2 z\u01ceo shang 8 di\u01cen ji\u00f9 d\u00e0o g\u014dng s\u012b le.)
I arrived at the company at 8 am.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\nUse \u5c31 (ji\u00f9) as \u2018Then\u2019 (Conjunction Word)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
(zh\u01d0 y\u00e0o n\u01d0 k\u011bn n\u01d4 l\u00ec xu\u00e9 x\u00ed, n\u01d0 ji\u00f9 y\u012b d\u00ecng n\u00e9ng ch\u00e9ng g\u014dng.)
As long as you study hard, then you will succeed.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\nFinal Thoughts <\/h2>\n\n\n\n