才 (cái)

才 is a timing adverb meaning "not until," "only then," or "just now." It signals that the action happened later, slower, or with more effort than expected.

Meanings

[adverb] Not until; only after (implying lateness or difficulty).
[adverb] Just now; only a moment ago.
[adverb] Only; merely (limiting quantity or degree).

Example Sentences

他九点才到。 Tā jiǔ diǎn cái dào. He didn't arrive until nine o'clock.

我昨天才知道这件事。 Wǒ zuótiān cái zhīdào zhè jiàn shì. I only found out about this yesterday.

她学了三年才会说汉语。 Tā xué le sān nián cái huì shuō Hànyǔ. She studied for three years before she could finally speak Chinese.

这里才有五个人。 Zhèlǐ cái yǒu wǔ gè rén. There are only five people here.

Usage Notes

才 contrasts with 就. 就 suggests something happened sooner than expected (praise or efficiency), while 才 suggests it happened later than expected (mild criticism or effort). In sentences with 才, do not add 了 after the verb to mark completion — the lateness feeling and 了 conflict. 才 can also mean "only/merely" when limiting a number or extent.

Collocations or Common Phrases

Phrase	Meaning
才来	just arrived / didn't come until now
才知道	only just found out
这才对	now that's correct
才一个人	only one person
学完才走	won't leave until finished studying

Memory Hook

才 sounds like "tie" — you have been tied up with obstacles, and you only managed to break free just now.