Chinese Grammar Bank
HOW TO USE 就是
As an adverb 就是 is always placed before predicates to intensify the tone.
Although it is mainly used to emphasise sentences, don’t look down upon this tiny phrase as it is used quite often and can make your speech all the more native!
HOW TO USE 就是 | EXPLANATION
There are two key things to note about the 就是 construction:
- Firstly, “就是” is similar to just. For example, we might say, “it’s just not right!” As you can see, it is to put an emphasis.
- Secondly, “就是” is an objective emphasis phrase. However, sometimes it suggests an intense or provocative feeling. It may also carry a flippant, stubborn tone in specific contexts interestingly enough.
It is often placed before verbs:
PATTERN
就是（+ 不）+ Verb
我就是不喜欢吃西兰花。
I just don’t like broccoli.我父母就是不同意我去。
My parents just wouldn’t let me go.View More Phrases
| CHINESE | PINYIN | ENGLISH |
|---|---|---|
| 我就是不喜欢吃西兰花。 | wǒ jiù shì bú xǐ huān chī xī lán huā | I just don’t like broccoli. |
| 我父母就是不同意我去。 | wǒ fù mǔ jiù shì bú tóng yì wǒ qù | My parents just wouldn’t let me go. |
| 我就是不想睡觉。 | wǒ jiù shì bú xiǎng shuì jiào | I just don’t want to sleep. |
| 我就是很喜欢写作。 | wǒ jiù shì hěn xǐ huān xiě zuò | I just love writing. |
| 成都就是经常下雨。 | chéng du jiù shì jīng cháng xià yǔ | It rains a lot in Chengdu. |
| 鸡翅就是很好吃。 | jī chì jiù shì hěn hǎo chī | Chicken wings are just so delicious. |
| 咖啡就是要搭配牛奶。 | kā fēi jiù shì yào dā pèi niú nǎi | Milk is so important when it comes to coffee. |
| 我就是不想听。 | wǒ jiù shì bú xiǎng tīng | I just don’t want to hear it. |
| 过年就是要吃饺子。 | guò nián jiù shì yào chī jiǎo zǐ | Chinese New Year is all about eating dumplings. |
| 她就是很自私。 | tā jiù shì hěn zì sī | She is just very selfish. |
| 她就是不想改正错误。 | tā jiù shì bú xiǎng gǎi zhèng cuò wù | She just doesn’t want to correct her mistakes. |
| 年轻人就是很有活力。 | nián qīng rén jiù shì hěn yǒu huó lì | Young people are very energetic. |
| 谣言就是传播得很快。 | yáo yán jiù shì chuán bō dé hěn kuài | Rumours just spread fast. |
SAYING 就 INSTEAD OF 就是
As you may have noticed, sometimes Chinese people say “就” instead of “就是.”
It can also be placed before verbs with a similar emphatic function.
Just remember, it works as a part of “就是”, even if the “是” is invisible!
我就不想告诉你。
I just don’t want to tell you.我就有这一个想法。
I only have this idea.View More Phrases
| CHINESE | PINYIN | ENGLISH |
|---|---|---|
| 做事就要踏踏实实。 | zuò shì jiù yào tà tà shí shí | Just make things down-to-earth. |
| 你就应该按时上班。 | nǐ jiù yīng gāi àn shí shàng bān | You really should go to work on time. |
| 他犯了错误，但他就不承认。 | tā fàn le cuò wù ，dàn tā jiù bú chéng rèn | He made a mistake, but he just won’t admit it. |
| 我就不喜欢学数学。 | wǒ jiù bú xǐ huān xué shù xué | I just hate Maths. |
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FAQs
What is the purpose of 就是?
就是 can be used as an adverb to intensify the tone.
It’s also mainly used to emphasize sentences.
What is the 就是 structure?
就是 is often placed before verbs :
就是 + verb
If the sentence is negative :
就是（+不）+ verb
Can I just say 就 instead of 就是?
Yes you can!
就 used alone works like 就是.
For example:
我就有这一个想法。or 我就是有这一个想法。
-> I only have this idea.
How to pronounce 就是?
就是 is pronounced jiù shì.
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