一...就(yī...jiù)
As Soon As / Whenever
Structure Pattern
Explanation
一...就 (yī...jiù) means "as soon as A happens, B follows." It emphasizes the immediate sequence — there's no delay between the two actions. Can also express habitual patterns: "whenever A, then B."
Example Sentences
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Tā yí dào jiā jiù shuìjiào le.
He went to sleep as soon as he got home.
Wǒ yí kànjiàn tā jiù xiào le.
I laughed as soon as I saw her.
Yí xià yǔ, tā jiù bù chūmén.
Whenever it rains, he doesn't go out.
Tā yì tīng dào yīnyuè jiù xiǎng tiàowǔ.
She wants to dance as soon as she hears music.
Common Mistakes
Common Mistake
我一完成这个项目就下个月去度假。
Correct Usage
我完成这个项目以后，下个月去度假。
The phrase '一...就' emphasizes an immediate sequence with no delay. Adding '下个月' (next month) explicitly contradicts this immediacy; for actions that happen later, '以后' (after) is more appropriate.
Related Grammar Points
Then / Right Away / As Soon As
jiù
就 (jiù) implies that something happens sooner or more easily than expected. It's the optimistic counterpart to 才 (cái). It can mean "then," "right away," or emphasize that something is simple/quick.
As Long As...Then
zhǐyào...jiù
只要...就 (zhǐyào...jiù) means "as long as...then." It sets a minimum condition — if the condition is met, the result will follow. It emphasizes that the condition is sufficient and not too demanding.
Master 一...就
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