tā wǎnshang hěn wǎn cái shuìjiào.

very

Breakdown of tā wǎnshang hěn wǎn cái shuìjiào.

• 他tā: he
• 晚上wǎnshang: evening
• 才cái: not until

Questions & Answers about tā wǎnshang hěn wǎn cái shuìjiào.

What does 才 (cái) express in this sentence?

It signals “not until,” with a sense of delay or later-than-expected timing. So “他晚上很晚才睡觉” means “He doesn’t go to sleep until very late at night.” 才 itself doesn’t mark past tense; it’s about timing relative to expectation.

Why is 很 before 晚? Can I say 他晚上晚才睡觉?

Many stative adjectives (like 晚 “late”) normally take a degree word when used adverbially. 很晚 is the natural way to say “very late.” “他晚上晚才睡觉” sounds off. Alternatives: 这么/那么/特别/非常晚, or use a specific time: 他晚上两点才睡觉.

Where does 才 go? Can I put it after the verb?

Structure: Subject + time phrase + degree/time phrase + 才 + verb phrase. Example: 他 晚上 很晚 才 睡觉. Don’t place 才 after the verb, and don’t say 他晚上才很晚睡觉. 才 must come before the verb/VP it scopes over.

Can I move 晚上 around? Can it go at the end?

Time words usually go before the verb. Acceptable: 他晚上很晚才睡觉; 晚上他很晚才睡觉. Putting 晚上 at the end (他很晚才睡觉晚上) is unnatural.

Is this sentence habitual or about one specific night?

It’s neutral; context decides. To make it about a specific past night: 他昨天晚上很晚才睡觉. To show a habit, add adverbs like 都/常常/经常/总是: 他晚上都很晚才睡觉 (He always goes to bed very late).

What’s the difference between 才 and 就?