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AdverbsHSK 4

Comparing 刚 and 刚才

刚 (gāng) is an adverb meaning 'just' or 'a short while ago'. It describes a recently completed action and often implies that the resulting state continues to exist. It is typically used before a verb or adjective.

刚才 (gāngcái) is a noun meaning 'just now' or 'a moment ago'. It refers to a specific time in the immediate past, and the action it describes is usually finished with no ongoing effect. 刚才 can also be used to modify nouns, as in '刚才的事'.

Examples

  • 我们昨天刚到。
    Wǒmen zuótiān gāng dào.
    We just arrived yesterday.
  • 真不巧，老板刚走。
    Zhēn bùqiǎo, lǎobǎn gāng zǒu.
    What bad timing. The boss just left.
  • 现在我感觉比刚才好一点了。
    Xiànzài wǒ gǎnjué bǐ gāngcái hǎo yīdiǎn le.
    I feel a little better now than just before.
  • 刚的事情太让人生气了。
    Gāng de shìqing tài ràng rén shēngqì le.
    What just happened is really upsetting.
  • 刚才的事情太让人生气了。
    Gāngcái de shìqing tài ràng rén shēngqì le.
    What just happened is really upsetting.

Words that use this