刚才 (gāng cái) — just now, a moment ago
Definition
Used as a noun or set-phrase adverb for 'just now, a moment ago' referring to a time shortly before now. Pairs with the verb 了; 刚刚 is the everyday adverb form with the same meaning. 才 in 'just now' needs a duration phrase (才 + time + ago).
noun
just nowa moment ago
Examples
- 刚才。gāng cái Yǒu rén dǎ diàn huà zhǎo nǐ.Someone called looking for you just now.
- 刚才？。Nǐ gāng cái shuō shén me? wǒ méi tīng qīng chǔ.What did you say just now? I didn't hear clearly.
- 刚才，。gāng cái Wǒ qù le chāo shì, mǎi le shuǐ guǒ.I went to the supermarket just now and bought fruit.
Grammar
Appears in
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