Chinese dictionary
- 1
adv.a short while ago; then and only then; just
你怎么才知道?
How have you only just found out?
经她解释之后,我才明白是怎么回事。
I didn't know what was going on until she explained it to me.
节目才刚开始。
The performance has just started.
- 2
adv.(used in comparison indicating that something is less in quantity or frequency, inferior in ability, or lower in level, etc.) only, merely
这个工厂开办时才二百工人,现在已有几千工人了。
Now the factory has several thousand workers, up from a mere 200 at the beginning.
这孩子才六岁,已经认得不少字了。
The child is only six, and he already knows quite a few characters.
当时他才三岁。
He was only three years old then.
synonym
- 3
n.capable/talented person
平庸之才
man of mediocre talents
奇才
unusual talent
人才
a person of talent
- 4
n.talent; ability; capacity; capability
这人很有才。
That man is a real talent.
- 5
adv.(often preceded by or a sentence of similar meaning) only if
只有依靠群众,才能把工作做好。
Only by relying on the masses can we do a good job.
多练字,才能练好字。
It takes a lot of practice to learn to write characters.
非要等起重机来了我们才能装运吗?
Must we wait till the crane arrives before we start loading?
synonym
- 6
adv.really; (preceded by an expression of reason or condition) not unless; not until; then and only then; for no other reason
她才不傻呢。
She is no fool.
这才是好样的。
You are really good.
他才不想一辈子待在那儿呢。
He has not the least desire to stay there forever.
Words and phrases with 才
- 才疏识浅[word]have little talent and learning
- 才干[word]ability
- 才调[word]literary or artistic gift
- 才貌[word]talent and beauty
- 才学[word]talent and learning
- 才华[word]talent
- 才多识寡[word]scintillate with wits but the lack in experience
- 才艺秀[word]talent contest
- 才略[word]ability and resource
- 才大心细[idiom]have a great talent and an attentive mind
- 才子佳人[idiom]talented man and beautiful woman; operatic theme that tells the story of a gifted man and a beautiful lady
- 才兼文武[idiom]talented both mentally and physically
- 才高八斗[idiom]be endowed with great/unusual talents
- 才德兼备[idiom]have both talent and virtue
- 才高行洁[idiom]be superbly able and virtuous
- 才思敏捷[idiom]be of keen/sharp intellect
- 才华横溢[idiom]be full of wit
- 才貌双全[idiom]both talented and good-looking