Adverbs / 副词
刚 vs 刚才
just (adverb before verb) vs just now (time word)
Comparison / 对比
| 刚 gāng | 刚才 gāngcái | |
|---|---|---|
| Function | Adverb: goes before verb | Time noun: can be subject/object modifier |
| Position | Must be before verb: 刚到 | Flexible: 刚才的话 / 我刚才说的 |
| With 的 | Cannot: ×刚的事 | Can: 刚才的事 (the thing from just now) |
| Time feel | Emphasizes 'just' (very recent action) | Points to a moment 'just now' |
Examples / 例句
刚: 我刚到公司，还没开始工作。
I just arrived at the company. (刚 before verb 到)
刚才: 刚才那个人是谁？
Who was that person just now? (刚才 as time word modifying noun)
Quick rule: 刚 = adverb, must go right before a verb (刚吃, 刚到). 刚才 = time noun, can modify nouns (刚才的电话) or stand alone as a time reference. Test: can you put 的 after it? Yes → 刚才. No → 刚.
Fill in the Blank / 填空练习
Type the correct word to complete each sentence. Press Enter or click Check.
我到公司，还没开始工作。
的那个电话是谁打来的？
他说了什么？我没听清。
Quick Quiz / 小测验
我吃完饭，现在不饿。
Before verb 吃完 → adverb 刚.
的那个电话是谁打来的？
刚才的 + noun → time noun 刚才.
她说了什么？我没听清。
Referring to a specific moment 'just now' → 刚才. (刚 also works grammatically here.)