What's the difference between 才 and 就？

Question

I know one stands for "slow than expected" and the other for turnover "earlier". In some cases, I cannot explain to myself their position in sentences. Can you explain to me in more detail the meaning of ? And the difference between 才是，就是

Answer 1

I assume you are talking about them being used to describe the sequence of events-- both terms have many many unrelated uses and are very complicated characters. If you clarify these types of questions a bit more it will avoid possible confusion, and it will help make sure you get better answers :)

if in doubt including example sentences for grammar/vocab use questions is always best-- context is king in chinese.

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At the basics the two are opposites, early vs late. However chinese isn't ever that firmly set in stone. Here is an article from allset learning chinese wiki, a great source for basic grammar questions if you haven't seen it before:

https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Comparing_%22cai%22_and_%22jiu%22

This should help get an idea of the common use for sequence of events with these terms.

Answer 2

才 has multiple uses. It can be used to indicate "unexpected delay or late in arrival", such as "你怎麼才來呢？" - "How come you come/arrive so late?" When used with 是(is, am, are), it emphasizes one's own argument against the other's argument with certainty, for example:

• 我不是賊, 你才是. - I am not a thief, you certainly/indeed are (a thief).

Same to 才, 就 has many uses. It can be used to indicate something "turned... earlier" without noticing, or simply "already", such as "他早就長大了" - "He has grown up already", which really means "He has turned into a man in earlier days without your noticing."

When used with 是, it can mean "only/merely",

• 大家都来了,就是小林还没有来 - Everybody has came already, only 小林 has not yet arrived.

or mean "even if",

• 就是下雨,我们也要开工 - Even if it is raining, we will start working anyway.

and as a conjunction - "either ... or"

• 这几天,不是刮风,就是下雨 - These few days, either windy or rainy.

Let's compare 才是 and 就是 using previous example:

• A: 你是賊. (A simple accusation/argument.)

• B: 我不是賊, 你才是. (才 emphasis own accusation/argument in hit back.)

• A: 你就是賊. (就 supports the original accusation/argument with emphasis.)

Answer 3

茶馆文化才是最具成都特色的休闲方式。 Visiting the tea house is a really special leisure time activity in Chengdu. The word 才 is an adverb, in this sentence meaning “really” or “very.” 就是 just 就是因为我喜欢他 just because I like him

Answer 4

let me try, most of the time... 才:indeed 就：merely

才是: is..., indeed. 就是：is..., merely.

我才是我， i am myself, indeed. 我就是我， i am myself, merely.