Usage of 刚 (gāng)
The word 刚 is commonly used to indicate that something happened very recently, similar to "just" or "just now" in English. For example, "我刚到家" means "I just got home." It can also describe something that is hard, strong, or tough, often referring to physical objects like knives or materials.
Common Collocations
- 刚刚 (gānggāng): emphasizes the recentness, "just now."
- 刚才 (gāngcái): refers to a moment ago, "just a moment ago."
Notes
When used to mean "just," 刚 usually appears before the verb to indicate the action happened a short time ago. When describing hardness or toughness, it functions as an adjective.
Common Confusion
Don't confuse 刚 with 刚好 (gānghǎo), which means "just right" or "exactly." 刚 alone focuses on timing or toughness, while 刚好 emphasizes precision or suitability.