...(就)要...了 signals an imminent event/state: about to.... 就 can strengthen immediacy.
Imminence marker - near-future transition
Anticipatory tone - often carries expectation or urgency
Flexible with verbs/events - start/end/arrival/change contexts
See examples below for varied real-world usage.
Represents near future, not completed past
- Distinguish from already-happened markers.
就 adds stronger immediacy
- Optional depending on emphasis.
Context should support soon-to-happen reading
- Avoid distant-future mismatch.
The meeting is about to begin.
The train is about to enter the station.
He is about to graduate.
It is about to get dark, let us head back.
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