剛... means "just" in the recent past.
Recent past
Short time ago
See examples below for varied real-world usage.
Recent past
- ✅ 剛吃完。
- ❌ 剛要吃。（用快要）
Not for distant past
- ✅ 剛才下雨。
- ❌ 去年剛下雨。
I arrived just five minutes ago.
He just slept for a short while.
The machine had just run for ten minutes before stopping.
We had just exchanged a few words when he left.
Find real examples
Discover this pattern in manga, dramas & more
Save for spaced repetition
Add sentences to your study deck
Practice 剛... and other grammar patterns with manga, dramas, and more.
Start learning free