就是

Etymology & Components

The Chinese word 就是 (jiùshì) is a versatile particle that serves various grammatical functions. It is composed of two characters: 就 (jiù), which means "just" or "exactly," and 是 (shì), which means "to be" or "is." Together, they form a compound that emphasizes or confirms something.就是 can be used in several ways. Firstly, it can be used as an emphatic particle to stress a particular point or fact. For example, in the sentence "我就是要去！" (Wǒ jiùshì yào qù!), the speaker is firmly expressing their intention to go, emphasizing their determination.Secondly, 就是 can be used as an affirmative response, similar to "that's right" or "exactly." In a conversation, if someone asks "你同意吗？" (Nǐ tóngyì ma?), you can respond with "我就是同意！" (Wǒ jiùshì tóngyì!) to express your agreement.Thirdly, 就是 can be used to introduce a definition or explanation. For instance, in the sentence "电脑就是用来处理信息的机器" (Diànnǎo jiùshì yòng lái chǔlǐ xìnxī de jīqì), the word 就是 introduces the definition of a computer as a machine used to process information.Furthermore, 就是 can also be used to indicate a logical consequence or conclusion. In the sentence "你迟到了，所以你就不能参加考试了" (Nǐ chídàole, suǒyǐ nǐ jiù bùnéng cānjiā kǎoshìle), the word 就是 implies that being late is the reason for not being able to take the exam.In summary, 就是 is a versatile Chinese word with multiple functions. It can be used for emphasis, affirmation, definition, and logical consequence. Understanding its various uses is essential for effective communication in Chinese.