This use of 就 jiù has two closely related jobs: signaling something is about to happen “right away,” and flagging that something happened earlier, faster, or sooner than expected. The time word usually sits right before 就 jiù.
1 Structure
（Action 1）+ 就 jiù + （Action 2）
Function 1 — signals something is about to happen very soon. Often translates as “right away,” or sometimes doesn’t need translating at all.
等我一下，我立刻就到等我一下，我立刻就到
Wait for me, I’ll be right there.
明天我吃完飯就去你家明天我吃完饭就去你家
Tomorrow, once I finish eating, I’ll go to your place.
每天我都很累，回家就睡覺每天我都很累，回家就睡觉
Every day I’m so tired — I go home and just go to sleep.
你現在就把電視關掉，然後去寫作業你现在就把电视关掉，然后去写作业
Turn off the TV now and go do your homework.
我們馬上就要開始會議了，請把手機調靜音我们马上就要开始会议了，请把手机调静音
We’re about to start the meeting. Please mute your cell phone.
Note
To express that an action has just happened, use 才 cái instead.
S + Time word + 就 jiù + V
Function 2 — signals something happened much earlier or faster than expected. Usually left untranslated in English.
他明天就會來台灣了他明天就会来台湾了
He will come to Taiwan tomorrow. (I thought he’d come next month.)
你下個月就要回國嗎，太快了！你下个月就要回国吗，太快了！
You’re going back home next month? It’s too soon!
他18歲就結婚了他18岁就结婚了
He got married when he was 18. (Earlier than typically expected.)
爺爺坐在椅子上5分鐘就睡著了爷爷坐在椅子上5分钟就睡着了
Grandfather sat in the chair for just 5 minutes and fell asleep. (Faster than expected.)
你為什麼現在就來我家，我們不是約晚上見嗎？你为什么现在就来我家，我们不是约晚上见吗？
Why are you coming to my house right now? I thought we were meeting tonight.
Note
To express lateness instead, use 才 cái.
2 Practice
Translate each sentence into Chinese, then tap the card to check your answer.
01She arrived at the company at 6:30, much earlier than usual.
她六點半就到公司了她六点半就到公司了
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02I’ll be home now.
我現在就回家我现在就回家
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03It took him only 5 minutes to finish the work.
他5分鐘就做完工作了他5分钟就做完工作了
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04As soon as she arrived in Taiwan, she went to buy bubble tea.
她到台灣就去買珍珠奶茶她到台湾就去买珍珠奶茶
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05Once you’ve washed your hands, you can eat dinner.
洗完手，就可以吃晚餐了洗完手，就可以吃晚餐了
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06The bus will arrive right away, get ready.
公車馬上就要到了，準備一下公车马上就要到了，准备一下
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07She graduated from college at 20 — earlier than most people.
她20歲就大學畢業了她20岁就大学毕业了
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08You’re already leaving? That’s too fast!
你就要走了嗎，太快了！你就要走了吗，太快了！
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09The child learned to swim at age 3.
那個小孩3歲就學會游泳了那个小孩3岁就学会游泳了
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10Why did you finish eating already? We just sat down.
你怎麼現在就吃完了，我們才剛坐下你怎么现在就吃完了，我们才刚坐下
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