才 (cái)

才 is a restrictive adverb with several closely related uses: it can mark that something happens later than expected ("not until"), stress a small or barely sufficient amount ("only/just"), or imply that a condition must first be met before a result follows. It always precedes the verb.

Meanings

[adverb] Only then; not until — the action happens later or with more difficulty than expected.
[adverb] Just; only; merely — stressing a small quantity or extent.
[adverb] Only if/when (in conditional chains): [condition] + 才 + [result].

Pattern

Use	Structure	Example
Late/reluctant action	time phrase + 才 + V	他十点才来。 He didn't come until ten.
Small quantity	才 + number	我才吃了一口。 I only ate one bite.
Conditional	[only if…] + 才 + V	努力了才能成功。 Only by working hard can you succeed.

Example Sentences

他昨天晚上十二点才睡觉。 Tā zuótiān wǎnshàng shí'èr diǎn cái shuìjiào. He didn't go to sleep until midnight last night.

我才认识她三天，还不太了解她。 Wǒ cái rènshi tā sān tiān, hái bú tài liǎojiě tā. I have only known her for three days and don't understand her well yet.

练习了很久，他才学会这首曲子。 Liànxí le hěn jiǔ, tā cái xuéhuì zhè shǒu qǔzi. Only after practicing for a long time did he finally learn this piece.

有了健康，才能享受生活。 Yǒu le jiànkāng, cái néng xiǎngshòu shēnghuó. Only when you have health can you enjoy life.

Collocations

Collocation	Meaning
这才	only now; just now finally
才刚	only just (did something)
才能	can only then (result clause)
才知道	only then did (I) know
才明白	only then did (I) understand

Memory Hook

才 also means "talent." Imagine someone with a small sliver of talent — just barely enough — who arrives late to the competition. Late arrival and bare sufficiency are the core feelings of 才.