一…就…
HSK 2- Conditionals
Structure (结构 jiégòu)
Meaning (意思 yìsi)
The structure 一…就… expresses two actions occurring one immediately after the other, carrying the meaning of "as soon as…", "once… then…".
Explanation (解释 jiěshì)
Used to connect two actions that occur in immediate succession. The second action (following 就) happens right after the first action (following 一) is completed. This structure emphasizes the close and immediate link between two events; it can be translated as "as soon as," "once… then…," or "no sooner… than…"
The subjects of the two clauses may be the same or different. If the subjects are identical, the subject in the second clause may be omitted.
Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)
- 他一下课就回家。繁: 他一下課就回家。Tā yí xià kè jiù huí jiā.
He goes home as soon as class ends.
- 我一听就明白了。繁: 我一聽就明白了。Wǒ yì tīng jiù míngbai le.
I understood it right away as soon as I heard it.
- 妹妹一哭，妈妈就抱她。繁: 妹妹一哭，媽媽就抱她。Mèimei yì kū, māma jiù bào tā.
Whenever the younger sister cries, the mother picks her up.
- 他一喝酒脸就红。繁: 他一喝酒臉就紅。Tā yì hē jiǔ liǎn jiù hóng.
He gets a red face whenever he drinks alcohol.
- 老师一提问，他就紧张。繁: 老師一提問，他就緊張。Lǎoshī yì tíwèn, tā jiù jǐnzhāng.
Whenever the teacher asks a question, he gets nervous.
Common mistakes
- Wrong:我一看他，认识了。Correct:我一看他就认识了。
The adverb `就` is an essential component in this structure to indicate immediate succession and cannot be omitted.
- Wrong:他一上课，就手机玩。Correct:他一上课就玩手机。
After `就`, there must be a complete clause (verb + object); the word order cannot be reversed as it can in Vietnamese.