刚 vs 刚才 (adverb vs time-word)
IntroducedAn adverb differs from a time expression
- A friend left recently, and you describe the timing.
- he他just刚leave走；a moment ago刚才he他was在here这儿。 — just刚 modifies the departure, while a moment ago刚才 names a recent time.
A friend left recently, and you describe the timing. What does 他刚走；刚才他在这儿。 communicate?
刚 modifies the departure, while 刚才 names a recent time. 刚才 can move before the subject or after it in suitable sentences. 刚 is not a standalone time noun, and 了 is not universally forbidden after a 刚-modified verb.
Build the form
- The pattern in this lesson is just刚 vs a moment ago刚才 (adverb vs time-word). Locate it in the original interlinear examples below.
- Keep the words in their demonstrated positions; the pattern must fit the intended situation as well as the sentence form.
he他just刚leave走。
Using the lesson pattern in this demonstrated example: He just left: 他 ____ 走。
刚 + Verb = just did: 他刚走.
Read examples in context
a moment ago刚才he他was在here这儿。
- In the opening example, he他just刚leave走；a moment ago刚才he他was在here这儿。: just刚 modifies the departure, while a moment ago刚才 names a recent time.
- Explain who acts, what is described and which time or group is relevant before choosing an English paraphrase.
Which is a time-word that can stand like 昨天?
刚才 = time-word; 刚 = adverb glued to the verb.
Know the boundary
- a moment ago刚才 can move before the subject or after it in suitable sentences.
- just刚 is not a standalone time noun, and (completed / change)了 is not universally forbidden after a just刚-modified verb.
刚 and 刚才 are the same kind of word and swap freely.
No — 刚 is an adverb; 刚才 is a time-word.
In the opening situation: 刚 modifies the departure, while 刚才 names a recent time.
刚才 can move before the subject or after it in suitable sentences. 刚 is not a standalone time noun, and 了 is not universally forbidden after a 刚-modified verb. 刚 modifies the departure, while 刚才 names a recent time.
Use the distinction
- just刚 modifies the departure, while a moment ago刚才 names a recent time.
- a moment ago刚才 can move before the subject or after it in suitable sentences. just刚 is not a standalone time noun, and (completed / change)了 is not universally forbidden after a just刚-modified verb.
Read the full reference: HSK 4 grammar — Comparing similar adverbs.
A friend left recently, and you describe the timing. Close the examples. Say a Mandarin response, then write it in Chinese. Explain briefly in English what the lesson’s pattern adds. Compare with the model, then change one detail and try again.
This is supported productive practice. Compare meaning and structure; your answer need not copy the model. A partner or teacher must hear the spoken response to comment on pronunciation.