就 jiù sits right before the verb phrase and points to what happens next, once an earlier condition, time, or situation is met. English doesn’t always need a “then” to say the same thing, so translate for meaning rather than word-for-word.
1 Structure
Set up situation + 就 jiù + Verb Phrase
Lay out the condition, time, or situation first, then use 就 jiù right before the verb phrase to show what naturally follows.
我學好中文後，就可以到中國旅遊了我学好中文后，就可以到中国旅游了
Once I’ve mastered Chinese, I’ll be able to travel to China.
吃完晚餐我就要去睡了吃完晚餐我就要去睡了
After dinner, I’m going to bed.
你身體不太舒服，我們今天就在家吃飯吧你身体不太舒服，我们今天就在家吃饭吧
You’re not feeling that well — let’s just eat at home today.
你養了狗就要負起責任你养了狗就要负起责任
Once you’ve adopted a dog, you have to take responsibility for it.
累了就去休息，不要一直工作累了就去休息，不要一直工作
If you’re tired, go rest — don’t work non-stop.
買完機票後，我這個月就要吃土了买完机票后，我这个月就要吃土了
Now that I’ve bought the plane ticket, I’ll be living on a shoestring this month.
Slang Note: 吃土 chī tǔ — “Eating Dirt”
吃土 (chī tǔ) is playful slang for being flat broke — the mental image is that you’ve spent so much you’d have to eat dirt to get by. It’s not meant to be taken literally; people use it casually with friends to laugh off a tight month, usually right after a big purchase like a plane ticket or a shopping spree.
See more Chinese Slang →
2 Practice
Translate each sentence into Chinese, then tap the card to check your answer.
01After I finish watching this movie, I’ll go wash the dishes.
等我看完這部電影，我就去洗碗等我看完这部电影，我就去洗碗
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02I’m busy right now — I’ll call you once I get home.
我現在很忙，我回家就給你打電話我现在很忙，我回家就给你打电话
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03If you need help, just contact me.
如果你需要幫忙，就聯絡我如果你需要帮忙，就联络我
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04If you’re hungry, just order some delivery.
如果你餓了，就點外賣吧如果你饿了，就点外卖吧
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05Once the meeting’s over, we can go home.
開完會，我們就可以回家了开完会，我们就可以回家了
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06Once you get there, text me.
你到了以後，就傳訊息給我你到了以后，就传讯息给我
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07Once you’re ready, we’ll head out.
你準備好，我們就出發你准备好，我们就出发
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08If it rains tomorrow, we’ll just stay home.
明天如果下雨，我們就待在家裡明天如果下雨，我们就待在家里
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09Once you turn eighteen, you can vote.
你滿十八歲，就可以投票了你满十八岁，就可以投票了
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10Once you finish reading this book, you’ll understand.
你看完這本書，就會懂了你看完这本书，就会懂了
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