这才
zhècáiTraditional: 這才
Translation
only then, only at this point
Word origin
A collocation of the demonstrative 这 (zhè, this) and the adverb 才 (cái, only then, not until), used to mark that an action happens only after a preceding condition is met.
- Origin
- compound
- Root
- 这 (zhè, this) + 才 (cái, only then)
Stroke order
这
才
Examples
，。
After hearing his explanation, only then did I understand.
，。
They waited until daybreak, and only then set off.
，。
Seeing her return safely, only then did her mother feel at ease.
业，。
After finishing his homework, only then did he go to bed.
，。
After many failures, only then did I finally learn it.
这才 (zhè cái) is an adverbial collocation meaning only then or only at this point, emphasising that something happens only after some prior condition. It typically follows the triggering clause, as in 听了之后，我这才明白 (only after hearing it did I understand).
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