What does 才 mean in Chinese?

才 (cái) means "only, just now, not until..., just, only then" in Chinese. The new HSK exam expects you to recognise it at HSK 3.

How do you write 才?

Use the interactive stroke-order tool to see how 才 is written.

What is the radical of 才?

Radical information for 才 is being updated.

How many strokes does 才 have?

Stroke count information for 才 is being updated.

What HSK level is 才?

On the new HSK exam syllabus, 才 is a character to recognise at HSK 3 and to write by hand at HSK 3.

才 (cái): Meaning, Stroke Order, Radical & Examples

才

cái

only, just now, not until..., just, only then

HSK 3 character

Quick Answer

才 (cái) means "only, just now, not until..." with HSK 3 on the new exam.

Full dictionary entry for 才 →Animated stroke-order for 才 →

Pronunciation

cái

Meaning

Primary: only

Other meanings:

just now
not until...
just
only then

Basic info

Pinyin	cái
Meanings	only, just now, not until..., just, only then
New HSK exam	Recognise at HSK 3, write by hand at HSK 3
Frequency	#169 most common

Example sentences

他刚才走了。
Tā gāngcái zǒu le.
He just left.
From 刚才 (HSK 3)
他刚才才到。
Tā gāngcái cái dào.
He only just arrived.
From 才 (HSK 3)
我们公司需要更多人才。
Wǒmen gōngsī xūyào gèng duō réncái.
Our company needs more talented people
From 人才 (HSK 5)

Words containing 才

Word	Pinyin	Meaning	HSK
刚才	gāngcái	just	HSK 3
才	cái	only; just now; not until...	HSK 3
人才	réncái	talented people	HSK 5
才干	cáigàn	ability, competence	HSK 7-9
才华	cáihuá	literary or artistic talent	HSK 6
才能	cáinéng	talent, ability	HSK 6
才智	cáizhì	ability and wisdom
多才多艺	duōcáiduōyì	versatile, talented	HSK 6
方才	fāngcái	just now

On the new HSK 3 exam

Studying for HSK 3? Keep 才 with the rest of your level.

HSK Lord schedules your reviews so each character comes back right before you would forget it. Free to start, and it picks up where you are.

Start studying free The words new HSK 3 adds

Frequently Asked Questions

Reviewed by RJ Murray, Founder, HSK Lord.

才

cái