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很多人都覺得英文越學越好，好到一定程度，就會遇到所謂的「ceiling effect」（天花板效應），覺得該說的都說了，怎麼還是不道地。不用担心，你現在的英文就是要從「講出意思」跨到「掌握意境」。很接近目標了。從「意思」到「意境」，其實就只缺了調味料，像「就」、「才」、「還」、「也」、「啦」之類的。想一想，中文不也如此，這些字就算不說，別人也還能懂得，只是味道就是沒有那麼對。

「才怪」、「才不想管」、「為什麼現在才說」......怎麼講成英文？還保留原味？讀今天的文章，給自己的英文加一點料吧！

1. just, a moment ago
想到「才」，應該會想到「剛剛」，「剛剛」的英文就是just, a moment ago。
他才剛剛從香港到。
He's just arrived from Hong Kong.
你怎麼才來就要走？
You've only just came. Why are you leaving so soon?
節目才開始。
The performance has just started.

2. not...until 直到...才
他直到十點才出現，他今天遲到了。
He didn't show up till 10 o'clock. He was late for work today.
你為什麼這會兒才說呢？
How come you didn't say anything until now?
經他解釋之後，我才明白是怎麼回事。
I didn't understand what was going on until he explained it to me.

3. only if, only when, only
我媽說可以我才能出去玩。
I could go out for fun only if my mom said yes.
只有在我們先自助，別人才會幫助我們。
Only when we help ourselves can people help us.
他昨天才離開紐約。
He left New York only yesterday.

4. only+數詞
現在才八點鐘，還早著呢。
It's only 8 o'clock, so there's still plenty of time.
才五塊錢嗎？真便宜。
Only five dollars? That's really cheap.
這孩子才五歲，已經認得不少字了。
The child is only five, and he already knows quite a few words.

5. actually, really, 有時也可譯為「才」
他要是不知道才怪呢！
I'd be really surprised if he didn't know.
他要是不知道才怪呢！
It would be really strange if he didn't know.
屋子裡不熱外面才熱呢！
It is not hot in the house, but it's really hot outside.

6. 其他
我才懶得管呢！
I can't be bothered with it! 或 I couldn't care less.

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