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才

cái

1. adverb not until; later than expected (opposite of 就)

   他十点才来。

   Tā shí diǎn cái lái.

   He did not come until ten o’clock.

2. adverb only then; only if the preceding condition is met

   有付出才有收获。

   Yǒu fùchū cái yǒu shōuhuò.

   Only with effort is there reward.

3. adverb only; merely (less than expected, with dissatisfaction)

   你们一共才三个人？

   Nǐmen yīgòng cái sān ge rén?

   There are only three of you in total?

4. adverb used in negative sentences for emphatic denial or retort

   我才不怕呢。

   Wǒ cái bù pà ne.

   As if I were afraid!

5. adverb just; only a moment ago

   他才回来，还没吃饭。

   Tā cái huílái, hái méi chī fàn.

   He only just got back and has not eaten yet.

6. adverb used for emphasis: it is precisely, it really is (often with 是)

   这才是真正的朋友。

   Zhè cái shì zhēnzhèng de péngyou.

   This is what a real friend is like.

7. noun talent; ability; a talented person

   他是一个不可多得的人才。

   Tā shì yī gè bù kě duō dé de réncái.

   He is a rare talent.

The full ChinesePath dictionary entry for 才 includes audio for every reading and example sentence, more example sentences, collocations, synonyms and links to the course units where it is taught.