<p>刚 itself already means 'just' (adverb- <em>only a very short time before</em>)</p>

<p>Example: "你<strong>刚</strong>回家，現在又要出去？" (you've <strong>just</strong> came home, now you have to go out again?)</p>

<p>刚刚 is a <a href="https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Reduplication_of_adjectives" rel="nofollow noreferrer">reduplication</a> of 刚. </p>

<p>Example: "你<strong>刚刚</strong>回家，現在又要出去？" (you've <strong>just</strong> came home, now you have to go out again?)</p>

<blockquote>
  <p><em><a href="https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Reduplication_of_adjectives" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Reduplication</a> makes the descriptive feeling of the adjective stronger.</em> </p>
</blockquote>

<p>'才' itself also carries the meaning of 'just' (adverb- <em>only a very short time before</em>) like '刚' does. </p>

<p>Example: "你<strong>才</strong>回家，現在又要出去？" (you've <strong>just</strong> came home, now you have to go out again?)</p>

<p>Put two characters with similar meaning together and create a compound word can remove ambiguity. It is very common in coining Chinese words . For example: Both  刚 and 才 carry other meanings, (刚 also means 'hard'; 才 also means 'talent') but '刚才' can only mean 'just'. </p>

<p>In summary:</p>

<ul>
<li><p>'刚才' is a compound word made up of '刚' and '才'. It still means 'just' </p></li>
<li><p>'刚刚' is a reduplication of '刚' It still means 'just' but carries a stronger emphasis (more immediate sense) than just a single syllable '刚' or '刚才' </p></li>
</ul>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-07-14T05:31:34.557Z
2017-07-14T05:43:07.033Z
2017-07-14T05:43:07.033Z
Tang Ho
<p>Both means the same, but which one sounds more natural depends on what the questioner uses.</p>

<p>if they ask: </p>

<p>你<strong>刚刚</strong>去哪了？</p>

<p>you answer with: </p>

<p>我<strong>刚刚</strong>回家了。</p>

<p>if they ask: </p>

<p>你<strong>刚才</strong>去哪了？ </p>

<p>you answer with: </p>

<p>我<strong>刚才</strong>回家了。</p>

<p>Of course, it's not wrong to answer 刚刚 with 刚才, it's not that big of a deal, both works, just a matter of preference really.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-07-14T04:55:22.787Z
Thanks but in that case does the answere bother to repeating it? Sounds to me just answering "回家了" is natural.
Blaszard
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-07-14T04:58:55.257Z
Yes, normally we do repeat it, if you don't repeat it and just say 回家了, it sounds like you are upset at something and don't want to talk. Of course, if the questioner asks 去哪了？ you can just answer 回家了, it sounds more colloquial, normally between close friends, rarely we answer with 回家了, but it works as well.
Mindless
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-07-14T04:50:14.733Z
2017-07-14T04:50:14.733Z
Mindless
<ol>
<li>刚 - means <em>just</em> or limitation marker</li>
<li>刚刚 - means <strong>just-only</strong>. I mean it is a reduplication of <strong>just</strong> so as to stress that something really-really just happend. This is usual practice in some languages. For example in Russian: <strong><em>только только</strong>(刚刚) вошёл сюда(entered here)</em>.</li>
<li>才 - means <em>barely</em> or nessesary marker. <em>你才回家，現在又要出去. You have <strong>barely</strong> returned home, already you go?</em></li>
<li>就 - means <em>already</em> or sufficient marker</li>
<li>刚才 - means "just barely" or "just now" (where "now" works as a substitute for "barely"). Just happend and only then</li>
<li>刚就 - means "just (happend) but already (smth)". </li>
</ol>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-07-14T11:22:48.010Z
2017-07-14T11:22:48.010Z
coobit
<p>Both words express the meaning &quot;just&quot; or &quot;just now&quot; in time. For example,</p>
<blockquote>
<p>我刚刚回家了。</p>
<p>我刚刚吃饭了。</p>
</blockquote>
<p>In these cases, should I use <code>刚刚</code> or <code>刚才</code>? Is there any difference and/or which one sounds more natural?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-07-14T12:12:28.953Z
刚刚 = 刚才 (here, 刚 = 才) ≠ 刚刚才 (here, 刚 ≠ 才)
SLS
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-07-14T15:29:57.170Z
differences between 刚，刚刚，刚才：＂实用汉语近义虚词词典＂ 刚（副）／刚刚（副），刚才（名） **［相同］**  都作状语，表示行动或情况发生在不久以前。都可以用在主语之后，有时可以互换，＂刚刚＂更强调时间离现在近：（１）我刚给她寄了封信。（刚刚✓刚才✓）（２）班长刚才去办公室了。（刚✓刚刚✓）（３）张平刚刚接了一个电话。（刚✓刚才✓）  **［不同］**   **１。**  作状语时，＂刚才＂可以放在主语前，后面还可以有逗号；＂刚刚＂有时也可以在主语前，但较少；＂刚＂只能放在主语后：（１）她刚去了一趟医院。（刚才✓刚刚✓）（２）刚才我太忙了，没时间根你打招呼。（刚刚✓刚✗ ）（３）刚才你在做什么？（刚刚✓刚✗ ）（４）刚才，李明在路上碰见陆老师了。（刚✗ 刚刚✗ ）（５）刚才，一个人从这里跑过去了。（刚✗ 刚刚✗ ）  **２。**  ＂刚才＂可以放在形容词短语前，＂刚、刚刚＂不能：（１）刚才很困，现在有点精神了。（刚✗ 刚刚✗ ）（２）刚才太累了，倘在沙发上就睡觉了。（刚✗ 刚刚✗ ）（３）我刚才太激动，忘了问他的名字了。（刚✗ 刚刚✗ ）
user6065
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-07-14T15:35:31.237Z
**３。** ＂刚、刚刚＂常用在复句的前一分句，表示前后两个行为、情况紧接着发生，相隔时间很短，后一分句常有＂就＂；＂刚才＂没有这样的用法：（１）他刚刚上车，车就开了。（刚✓刚才✗ ）（２）我刚刚下楼，外面就开始下大雨了。（刚✓刚才✗ ）（３）你怎么刚回来就又要走？（刚刚✓刚才✗ ）（４）我刚进门电话铃就响了。（刚刚✓刚才✗ ）  **４。**  ＂刚才＂后面可以有否定词＂不、没＂，＂刚、刚刚＂不能：（１）你为什么刚才不买？现在买不到了。（刚✗刚刚✗）（２）你刚才不打电话，现在人家都下班了。（刚✗刚刚✗）（３）我刚才没看见小张。（刚✗刚刚✗）  **５。**  ＂刚才＂可以作定语或阶词的宾语，＂刚、刚刚＂只能作状语：（１）刚才的晚会很精彩。（刚✗刚刚✗）（２）他很快就把刚才的事忘了。（刚✗刚刚✗）（３）打完针以后比刚才好多了。（刚✗刚刚✗）  **６。**  ＂刚、刚刚＂还表示勉强达到某一数量或程度，＂刚才＂没有这个用法：（１）他刚学会几句汉语，你就让他读这么长的文章？（刚刚✓刚才✗） （２）这点钱刚刚够买一张票。（刚✓刚才✗） （３）玛丽个子不高，刚刚到麦克肩膀。（刚✓刚才✗）
user6065
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-07-14T19:47:33.070Z
comment #2 有别字。 其实第五行，倒数第二字需要代之以＂跟＂这个字。该错字太糟糕了，因为甚至IME输入法编辑器给gen的第一选项就是＂跟＂。
user6065
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-07-15T05:05:18.790Z
No Significant difference. Like "lots" and "a lot" in English
Kevman
<word-choice>
What is the difference between 刚刚 and 刚才 in Mandarin?
# What is the difference between 刚刚 and 刚才 in Mandarin?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2017-07-14)

Both words express the meaning "just" or "just now" in time. For example,

> 我刚刚回家了。
>
> 我刚刚吃饭了。

In these cases, should I use `刚刚` or `刚才`? Is there any difference and/or which one sounds more natural?

**Tags:** word-choice

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: 刚刚 = 刚才 (here, 刚 = 才) ≠ 刚刚才 (here, 刚 ≠ 才)  
> **username_2**: differences between 刚，刚刚，刚才：＂实用汉语近义虚词词典＂ 刚（副）／刚刚（副），刚才（名） **［相同］**  都作状语，表示行动或情况发生在不久以前。都可以用在主语之后，有时可以互换，＂刚刚＂更强调时间离现在近：（１）我刚给她寄了封信。（刚刚✓刚才✓）（２）班长刚才去办公室了。（刚✓刚刚✓）（３）张平刚刚接了一个电话。（刚✓刚才✓）  **［不同］**   **１。**  作状语时，＂刚才＂可以放在主语前，后面还可以有逗号；＂刚刚＂有时也可以在主语前，但较少；＂刚＂只能放在主语后：（１）她刚去了一趟医院。（刚才✓刚刚✓）（２）刚才我太忙了，没时间根你打招呼。（刚刚✓刚✗ ）（３）刚才你在做什么？（刚刚✓刚✗ ）（４）刚才，李明在路上碰见陆老师了。（刚✗ 刚刚✗ ）（５）刚才，一个人从这里跑过去了。（刚✗ 刚刚✗ ）  **２。**  ＂刚才＂可以放在形容词短语前，＂刚、刚刚＂不能：（１）刚才很困，现在有点精神了。（刚✗ 刚刚✗ ）（２）刚才太累了，倘在沙发上就睡觉了。（刚✗ 刚刚✗ ）（３）我刚才太激动，忘了问他的名字了。（刚✗ 刚刚✗ ）  
> **username_2**: **３。** ＂刚、刚刚＂常用在复句的前一分句，表示前后两个行为、情况紧接着发生，相隔时间很短，后一分句常有＂就＂；＂刚才＂没有这样的用法：（１）他刚刚上车，车就开了。（刚✓刚才✗ ）（２）我刚刚下楼，外面就开始下大雨了。（刚✓刚才✗ ）（３）你怎么刚回来就又要走？（刚刚✓刚才✗ ）（４）我刚进门电话铃就响了。（刚刚✓刚才✗ ）  **４。**  ＂刚才＂后面可以有否定词＂不、没＂，＂刚、刚刚＂不能：（１）你为什么刚才不买？现在买不到了。（刚✗刚刚✗）（２）你刚才不打电话，现在人家都下班了。（刚✗刚刚✗）（３）我刚才没看见小张。（刚✗刚刚✗）  **５。**  ＂刚才＂可以作定语或阶词的宾语，＂刚、刚刚＂只能作状语：（１）刚才的晚会很精彩。（刚✗刚刚✗）（２）他很快就把刚才的事忘了。（刚✗刚刚✗）（３）打完针以后比刚才好多了。（刚✗刚刚✗）  **６。**  ＂刚、刚刚＂还表示勉强达到某一数量或程度，＂刚才＂没有这个用法：（１）他刚学会几句汉语，你就让他读这么长的文章？（刚刚✓刚才✗） （２）这点钱刚刚够买一张票。（刚✓刚才✗） （３）玛丽个子不高，刚刚到麦克肩膀。（刚✓刚才✗）  
> **username_2**: comment #2 有别字。 其实第五行，倒数第二字需要代之以＂跟＂这个字。该错字太糟糕了，因为甚至IME输入法编辑器给gen的第一选项就是＂跟＂。  
> **username_3**: No Significant difference. Like "lots" and "a lot" in English  

---

## 3 answers

### Answer by username_4 on 2017-07-14. Score: 1 | Accepted answer

刚 itself already means 'just' (adverb- *only a very short time before*)

Example: "你**刚**回家，現在又要出去？" (you've **just** came home, now you have to go out again?)

刚刚 is a [reduplication](https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Reduplication_of_adjectives) of 刚.

Example: "你**刚刚**回家，現在又要出去？" (you've **just** came home, now you have to go out again?)

> *[Reduplication](https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Reduplication_of_adjectives) makes the descriptive feeling of the adjective stronger.*

'才' itself also carries the meaning of 'just' (adverb- *only a very short time before*) like '刚' does.

Example: "你**才**回家，現在又要出去？" (you've **just** came home, now you have to go out again?)

Put two characters with similar meaning together and create a compound word can remove ambiguity. It is very common in coining Chinese words . For example: Both 刚 and 才 carry other meanings, (刚 also means 'hard'; 才 also means 'talent') but '刚才' can only mean 'just'.

In summary:

* '刚才' is a compound word made up of '刚' and '才'. It still means 'just'
* '刚刚' is a reduplication of '刚' It still means 'just' but carries a stronger emphasis (more immediate sense) than just a single syllable '刚' or '刚才'


---

### Answer by username_5 on 2017-07-14. Score: 3

Both means the same, but which one sounds more natural depends on what the questioner uses.

if they ask:

你**刚刚**去哪了？

you answer with:

我**刚刚**回家了。

if they ask:

你**刚才**去哪了？

you answer with:

我**刚才**回家了。

Of course, it's not wrong to answer 刚刚 with 刚才, it's not that big of a deal, both works, just a matter of preference really.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Thanks but in that case does the answere bother to repeating it? Sounds to me just answering "回家了" is natural.  
> **username_5**: Yes, normally we do repeat it, if you don't repeat it and just say 回家了, it sounds like you are upset at something and don't want to talk. Of course, if the questioner asks 去哪了？ you can just answer 回家了, it sounds more colloquial, normally between close friends, rarely we answer with 回家了, but it works as well.  

---

### Answer by username_6 on 2017-07-14. Score: 1

1. 刚 - means *just* or limitation marker
2. 刚刚 - means **just-only**. I mean it is a reduplication of **just** so as to stress that something really-really just happend. This is usual practice in some languages. For example in Russian: ***только только***(刚刚) вошёл сюда(entered here).
3. 才 - means *barely* or nessesary marker. *你才回家，現在又要出去. You have **barely** returned home, already you go?*
4. 就 - means *already* or sufficient marker
5. 刚才 - means "just barely" or "just now" (where "now" works as a substitute for "barely"). Just happend and only then
6. 刚就 - means "just (happend) but already (smth)".


---

