Definitions

jiù (adverb) then; in that case
jiù (adverb) at once; right away; immediately
jiù (adverb) just; only (emphasis)
jiù (adverb) already; as early as
jiù (verb) to approach; to move towards
jiù (verb) to undertake; to engage in
jiù (particle) concerning; with regard to

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound. Based on the original meaning "high place". The meaning of this character has shifted over time and now means "achieve".

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "就" is a phono-semantic compound structured with the radical "京", denoting a capital or elevated place, and the component "尤", which historically indicated pronunciation. Its earliest uses conveyed physical movement toward a significant location, emphasizing approach or arrival. The meaning later extended from spatial proximity to abstract completion, such as fulfilling a task or assuming a role, which subsequently facilitated its grammaticalization into an adverb indicating sequence, immediacy, or affirmation in modern usage.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Mid Warring States (~300 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我马上来。

Wǒ mǎshàng jiù lái.

I will come right away.

喜欢这个。

Tā jiù xǐhuān zhège.

He just likes this one.

他昨天来了。

Tā zuótiān jiù lái le.

He came yesterday already.

如果你来,我去。

Rúguǒ nǐ lái, wǒ jiù qù.

If you come, I will go.

他一下班回家。

Tā yī xiàbān jiù huí jiā.

He goes home as soon as he gets off work.

这个比那个好。

Zhège jiù bǐ nàgè hǎo.

This one is better than that one.

既然你同意了,我们开始吧。

Jìrán nǐ tóngyì le, wǒmen jiù kāishǐ ba.

Since you agree, let's start.

他不是不想去,是没时间。

Tā bù shì bù xiǎng qù, jiùshì méi shíjiān.

It's not that he doesn't want to go, but that he has no time.