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Questions & Answers about wǒ xiànzài jiù qù.
What does 就 (jiù) mean here? Is it “then,” “only,” or something else?
Here 就 is an adverb of promptness/immediacy: it adds the sense of “right away,” “immediately,” or “as soon as.” It can also convey decisiveness or quick compliance. It is not the “only/just” meaning of 就 (that one shows up with numbers or nouns, e.g., 就我一个人 “only me”), and it’s not simply a narrative “then.”
Why use both 现在 (xiànzài) and 就 (jiù)? Aren’t they redundant?
They stack to strengthen the meaning:
- 现在 sets the time to “now.”
- 就 adds the nuance of “right away/immediately.”
Together, 现在就 ≈ “right now (immediately).”
Compare: - 我现在去 = I’ll go now (neutral).
- 我就去 = I’ll go right away/then (immediate, relies on context for time).
- 我现在就去 = I’ll go right this moment (most emphatic).
Where does 就 go? Could I say 我就现在去 or 现在我就去?
Default order is Subject + Time + Adverb + Verb: 我 现在 就 去.
- 我现在就去 is the most natural.
- 现在我就去 also works (fronts the time for emphasis).
- 我就现在去 is used to stress the exact time “right now (and not some other time),” often as an answer to “When?”
Avoid placing 就 after the verb here.
Do I need 了? What’s the difference between 我现在就去 and 我现在就去了?
- 我现在就去 states an immediate intention or plan.
- 我现在就去了 is typically read with sentence-final 了 (change-of-state), meaning “I’m off now” / “I’m heading out right now.” It’s not a past tense.
Note: Because the verb is at the end, “去了” could look like perfective 了, but with 现在 the intended reading is almost always sentence-final 了 (change/new situation). For true past, you’d use a past-time word: 我刚才就去了 (“I already went just now”).
Can I omit 现在 or 就?
Yes, but the nuance shifts:
- 我现在去 = I’ll go now (neutral).
- 我就去 = I’ll go right away/then (immediacy, context supplies the time).
- 我去 = I’ll go / I’m going (very context-dependent). Using both together gives the strongest “right now” feel.
Is there a set phrase like “Right away!” I can use?
Yes: 这就去 (“On it right now!”) is a common, brisk response, especially in service contexts. You’ll also hear 马上就去 (“going immediately”) and the original 现在就去.
How can I make this sound softer or more polite?
- Add 吧 to show willingness: 我现在就去吧.
- Add 一下 to downplay a brief action (works best with a specific task/place): 我现在就去你那儿一下 / 我现在就去看一下.
- Add a task to sound proactive: 我现在就去处理 / 我现在就去办理.
- In many contexts, 我这就去 also sounds responsive yet polite.
How do I specify where I’m going or what I’ll do?
- 去 + place: 我现在就去学校 / 我现在就去你那儿.
- 去 + verb phrase: 我现在就去拿 (go get it), …就去问 (go ask), …就去处理 (go handle it).
- Directional complements help: 我现在就过去 (“I’ll head over there now”), 我现在就过来 (“I’ll come over here/your way now,” context-dependent).
When should I use 来 (lái) instead of 去 (qù)?
- 来 = movement toward the deictic center (often the speaker, sometimes the listener in context).
- 去 = movement away from the center.
On a call, both are common depending on perspective: - To someone at the office: 我现在就过去 (I’ll head over there now).
- Many speakers also say 我现在就来 to mean “I’m coming to you now.” If you want to avoid ambiguity, use 过去 (go over) when moving away from your current location toward someone else.
What’s the difference between 去 and 走 here?
- 去 emphasizes “going (to some place or to do something).”
- 走 emphasizes “leave/set off” (and also “to walk”).
Both can be natural without an explicit destination: - 我现在就去 = I’ll go (to do it).
- 我现在就走 = I’m heading out now (I’m leaving).
Use 去 when you want to name a destination or task; use 走 when you want to stress departure.
How do I negate this properly? What’s the difference between 不 and 没?
- 我现在不去 = I’m not going now / I won’t go.
- 我还没去 = I haven’t gone yet.
- 我现在就不去 adds emphasis: “I’m specifically not going right now.”
For prohibitions: 现在别去 (“Don’t go now”).
Can I use 马上 or 立刻 instead of 就? Any difference?
Yes:
- 马上 = right away/at once; very common and neutral.
- 立刻 = immediately; a bit more formal or emphatic.
They can combine with 就 for extra punch: 马上就去 / 立刻就去.
Alone also fine: 我马上去.
Can 现在 go at the end, like 我就去现在?
No. Time words like 现在 normally go before the verb (or sentence-initial as a topic). Use 我现在就去 or 现在我就去.
Note: 就现在 can form a phrase meaning “right now” in other structures (e.g., 就现在，最合适), but not after 去 in this sentence.
Any pronunciation tips for these words?
- 我 (wǒ): Third tone; before a non-third tone it’s often a “half third” (low) in flow.
- 现 (xiàn) and 在 (zài): both fourth tone; keep clear falling tones.
- 就 (jiù): fourth tone; “jiu” sounds like “jyoh” with a quick fall.
- 去 (qù): fourth tone with the “ü” vowel (written without dots after q/j/x). Don’t pronounce it like English “chew”; it’s [tɕʰŷ], lips rounded.
With so many fourth tones in a row, is there special tone sandhi?
There’s no mandatory sandhi for consecutive fourth tones. Keep each falling tone, but in natural speech you’ll slightly “downstep” so it doesn’t sound overly harsh. The main sandhi to watch is third tone before third tone (not present here).
How does Mandarin express future here without a future tense?
Chinese relies on time words and context. 我现在就去 uses 现在 to anchor time, and 就 to mark immediacy. You can add:
- 要 for intention/scheduled near-future: 我现在就要去 (I’m about to go right now).
- 会 for likelihood (less common for immediate actions): 我等会儿会去 (I’ll go later).
How do I say “I’m about to go” vs. “I’ll go right away”?
- “About to” uses 就要…了: 我就要走了 (I’m about to leave very soon).
- “Right away” is your sentence: 我现在就去 (I’ll go this instant).
The first highlights imminence; the second highlights immediacy/decisiveness.
Is the subject 我 required? Can I drop it?
You can drop it if context is clear:
- 现在就去 (Going right now).
- 这就去 (Right away!).
In replies, you might also ask back: 现在就去吗？ (“Go right now?”).
Does 去 need an object or complement?
Not necessarily. Context can supply the destination or task. But adding one often sounds more informative/natural:
- 我现在就去你那儿 (to your place), …去学校, …去处理, …过去/过来 (directional).
What’s the difference between 就 and 才 in this kind of sentence?
They’re near-opposites:
- 就 = earlier/faster/easier than expected; promptness (e.g., 我现在就去 = I’ll go right away).
- 才 = later/slower/harder than expected; delay (e.g., 我现在才去 = Only now am I going → implies lateness).