就是 (jiù shì) — (adverb) exactly; precisely; used to emphasize…

Definition

就是 is an emphatic word used to stress identity ("he is my teacher") or determination ("I just won't go"), and paired with 也 to mean "even if." Compare with 就算, which is a more explicit "even if" conjunction.

adverb

exactlypreciselyused to emphasize identity or truthsimplyjustused to express determination or a resolute attitude

conjunction

even ifeven (usually used with 也)

Examples

就是。
Tā jiù shì wǒ de lǎo shī.
He is my teacher (emphasizing that it's him).
就是。
Wǒ jiù shì bú qù.
I simply won't go / I just don't want to go.
就是，。
jiù shì Xià yǔ, wǒ yě yào qù.
Even if it rains, I still want to go.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

就jiùjust

是shìbe

就 sharpens 是, giving exact identity or a sense of even if.

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

享享xiǎng
京京jīng

An older form paired 享, a temple, with 京, a tower, showing sacrifice at a high place; in 就 the temple part was dropped and a right part for going upward was added.

Open 就 →

No reliable origin is recorded for this character.

Open 是 →