only then; not until; just
HSK level
才 is written with 3 strokes. The animation replays automatically.
才 (cái) is a high-frequency Chinese adverb with two core feelings: 'later than expected' and 'only / merely.'
Pattern 1 — late timing: 他八点才来 ('he didn't arrive until 8 o'clock'), suggesting 8 was later than expected; compare with 他八点就来了 ('he came as early as 8'). Pattern 2 — small quantity: 我才十八岁 ('I'm only eighteen'). Pattern 3 — condition + result: 只有努力才能成功 ('only by trying hard can one succeed').
Two key differences from English: first, 才 carries a subjective tone — the speaker feels the timing was late or the amount was small. There is no neutral English equivalent that captures all three uses; second, sentences with 才 in the past tense do NOT take 了 (you say 他昨天才来, not 他昨天才来了), because 才 already conveys completion with the right feeling. 才 contrasts directly with 就 (jiù), which means 'as soon as / as early as.'
他十点才到。
Tā shí diǎn cái dào.
He didn't arrive until 10 o'clock.
neutral
我妹妹才八岁。
Wǒ mèimei cái bā suì.
My little sister is only eight.
spoken
做完作业才能看电视。
Zuò wán zuòyè cái néng kàn diànshì.
Only after finishing homework can you watch TV.
neutral
我现在才知道这件事。
Wǒ xiànzài cái zhīdao zhè jiàn shì.
I'm only just now finding out about this.
spoken
只 means 'only' for limiting scope or quantity: 我只有十块钱 (I only have 10 yuan). 才 in the 'only' sense adds emotion — 我才有十块钱 sounds like a complaint. 只 is neutral; 才 carries feeling.
刚 means 'just (a moment ago)' — 他刚来 (he just arrived). 才 is similar but slower / later in feeling — 他才来 means 'he finally came (later than expected).' 刚 is about recency; 才 is about being late.
就 is the opposite of 才 in timing sentences. 他六点就来了 (he came as early as 6) vs 他六点才来 (he didn't come until 6). 就 = early/soon/expected; 才 = late/finally/unexpected.
刚才 is a noun meaning 'just now / a moment ago': 刚才你说什么 (what did you say just now?). 才 alone is an adverb. Don't confuse the two-character compound with the single-character adverb.
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