刚 vs 刚才 (adverb vs time-word)
Same moment, different word class
- Both point at the recent past — but they're different word types.
- just now刚 = adverb "just (did)", before the verb.
- just now (variant of 刚才)刚才 = time-word "a moment ago", stands like yesterday昨天.
just now刚 = adverb, before the verb
- he / him他just now刚to walk走 = "he just left." (no (completed / change)了 needed)
he他just刚leave走。
- he / him他just now刚to walk走 = "he just left."
Practice
He just left: 他 ____ 走。
刚 + Verb = just did: 他刚走.
just now (variant of 刚才)刚才 = a time-word
- just now (variant of 刚才)刚才he / him他at / in在here这儿 = "a moment ago he was here." (can't swap in just now刚)
a moment ago刚才he他was在here这儿。
- just now (variant of 刚才)刚才he / him他at / in在here这儿 = "a moment ago he was here."
Explore
Which word completes the sentence?
刚 is an adverb before the verb; 刚才 is a time-word with a life of its own.
Practice
Which is a time-word that can stand like 昨天?
刚才 = time-word; 刚 = adverb glued to the verb.
Practice
刚 and 刚才 are the same kind of word and swap freely.
No — 刚 is an adverb; 刚才 is a time-word.
Recap
Key idea
- just now刚 = adverb, before the verb (he / him他just now刚to walk走)
- just now (variant of 刚才)刚才 = a time-word, "a moment ago" (just now (variant of 刚才)刚才he / him他at / in在here这儿)
- just now刚 modifies the verb; just now (variant of 刚才)刚才 names a point in time
Read the full reference: HSK 4 grammar — Comparing similar adverbs.