才 + Number (small quantity)

• 拼音: cái
• 结构: 才 + Number + (Measure Word) + Noun

含义

The adverb 才 placed before a number emphasizes that the quantity is surprisingly small or insufficient. It conveys the speaker's feeling that the amount is less than expected.

才 before a number carries a subjective tone of dissatisfaction or surprise at how little something is. It contrasts with 就, which before a number implies the amount is surprisingly large or more than expected. For example, 才三个人 means 'only three people' (fewer than hoped), while 就三个人 could mean 'already three people' (more than expected). This pattern works with any number and optional measure word. Learners sometimes confuse 才 with 只, but 才 specifically emphasizes the speaker's disappointed expectation, whereas 只 is a more neutral 'only.' The tone of 才 always implies 'that's not enough.'

例句

1. 这次考试才三个人通过了。
2. 他学了两年中文，才认识五百个字。
3. 我们班才来了八个学生。

用法指南

语境: spoken, written, everyday

语气: emphatic

正确说法

• 整个周末我才写了两页论文。
• 这么大的城市才有三家书店。
• 他工作了十年才存了五万块钱。
• 今天的聚会才来了四个朋友。

错误说法

• 他才很多钱。(才 is used before specific numbers to emphasize smallness — it cannot precede 很多 which already means 'a lot') → 他才有一点钱。
• 才一百个人来了。(才 + Number phrase should appear after the subject or verb, not at the start of the sentence as a standalone modifier) → 来了才一百个人。

起源与历史

才 originally meant 'talent' or 'just now' in classical Chinese. Its usage as an adverb expressing insufficiency developed from the temporal sense of 'only just,' which evolved to emphasize smallness or inadequacy of quantity.

文化背景

世代: All ages

社会背景: Universal