How is 就 (jiù) used?

Question

Pimsleur's Mandarin course teaches "I'm leaving very early tomorrow morning" as: > 我明天早上很早就走 (wŏ míngtiān zăoshàng hĕn zăo jiù zŏu) It says that `就 (jiù)` doesn't have a corresponding meaning in English, but, frustratingly, that's all it says about it. What is the role of `就` in this sentence, and how is it needed and used in a more general sense in Mandarin?

Answer 1

Indeed, 就 has several uses depending on context. In this case it means earlier than one might expect; S 就V了--earlier than expected or right on time; S 才 V： later than expected.

Answer 2

It's one the of the paraphrases of 就 that means to be happened and to be ended early. Mostly 就 combines with 早 together, e.g.早就...../一早就/ ....很早就....

But, sometimes can work just only 就. e.g. 我明天7点就走。(means 7 o'clock is very early comparing common)

In this case, there is an antonym 才 for you to figure out.

我明天7点才走。(means 7 o'clock is very late comparing common)

Answer 3

就 has different uses:

1. meaningless but make the sentence readable. For example, 我下午就来 means I am coming this afternoon.
2. express by strong will. 我就要去学校. I really want to go to school.
3. soon. 我就去 means I am going now.
4. joint other word to make different meanings. 成就 means achievement. 将就 means acceptable but not in good expectation. 就业 means employed.

Answer 4

就 has many usages according to the context. In this sentence, it means "as early as".