38.8 The Conjunction 就 zau6 II (‘then’)

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In Grammar and Vocabulary 14.4, we learned to use the conjunction 就 zau6 to show contrast between people or things.

The conjunction 就 zau6 can also mean ‘then’. We use 就 zau6 to connect two parts in a sentence. 就 zau6 indicates that if the condition in the first part is fulfilled, then the result in the second part will be accomplished. The two parts can be an action (e.g., you turn left) or a state (e.g., it is the movie theater). We don’t add a subject in the second part.

Part 1 (Condition)	就 zau6 ‘then’	Part 2 (Result)
你直行到去最尾	就	係戲院	。
nei5 zik6 haang4 dou3 heoi3 zeoi3 mei5	zau6	hai6 hei3 jyun2	.
you walk straight to the end	then	it is the movie theater
If you walk straight to the end, then it is the movie theater.
轉左	就	有洗手間	。
zyun3 zo2	zau6	jau5 sai2 sau2 gaan1	.
you turn left	then	there is a washroom
If you turn left, then there is a washroom.

The second part can also be a follow-up action. In this case, 就 zau6 indicates that when the condition in the first part is fulfilled, then the follow-up action should be completed.

Part 1 (Condition)	就 zau6 ‘then’	Part 2 (Follow-up Action)
上到去三樓	就	轉左	。
soeng5 dou3 heoi3 saam1 lau2	zau6	zyun3 zo2	.
you have gone up to the third floor	then	turn left
When you have gone up to the third floor, then turn left.
入到𨋢	就	撳十字	。
jap6 dou3 lip1	zau6	gam6 sap6 zi6	.
you have gone into the elevator	then	press 10
When you have gone into the elevator, then press 10 [the floor selection button].