就: Restricting Discussion to a Topic in Chinese
就（关涉）
The formal preposition 就 introduces the specific matter that a discussion, review, explanation, or decision concerns. The entire 就 phrase precedes the main verb, often with verbs such as 谈, 讨论, 检讨, or 说明. This is not adverbial 就 meaning then or only, which does not take a topic object.
Published July 23, 2026
Reviewed July 23, 2026
01 / PATTERN
See the Structure
MODEL
Subject + 就 + Topic + Verb of Discussion / Review
Read the structure
The formal preposition 就 introduces the specific matter that a discussion, review, explanation, or decision concerns. The entire 就 phrase precedes the main verb, often with verbs such as 谈, 讨论, 检讨, or 说明. This is not adverbial 就 meaning then or only, which does not take a topic object. Keep the model Subject + 就 + Topic + Verb of Discussion / Review visible while you compare each sentence.
他已就这个问题做了检讨。
He has reviewed his conduct regarding this issue.
Choose the right context
Identify the issue discussed in a formal statement. Introduce the subject of a review, explanation, or self-criticism. Narrow a talk or document to one defined topic.
我想就就业问题谈几点看法。
I would like to offer several views on employment.
Respect the boundary
Do not place the topic before prepositional 就. Do not move the 就 phrase after the discussion verb. Do not confuse it with temporal or restrictive adverb 就.
他这个问题就做了检讨。
(He this issue then made a review.)
Repair the pattern
The topic is placed before its preposition: In the target prepositional use, 就 must directly introduce its topic object 这个问题. The topic phrase follows the discussion verb: The complete prepositional phrase 就合同细节 is an adverbial and must precede 继续讨论.
他就这个问题做了检讨。
Use the repaired structure without changing the intended meaning.
02 / MAP
Read the Sentence
Read from left to right and notice the job performed by each part. The labels describe this example; they are not a rule that every Chinese sentence must copy.
他已就这个问题做了检讨。
He has reviewed his conduct regarding this issue.
他
Subject
This part occupies the Subject position in the model pattern.
已
就
This part occupies the 就 position in the model pattern.
就
Topic
This part occupies the Topic position in the model pattern.
这个
Verb of Discussion / Review
This part occupies the Verb of Discussion / Review position in the model pattern.
问题
Subject
This part occupies the Subject position in the model pattern.
做了
就
This part occupies the 就 position in the model pattern.
检讨
Topic
This part occupies the Topic position in the model pattern.
03 / EXAMPLES
Examples You Can Reuse
Keep the structure stable while changing the people, objects, times, or conditions. Pinyin is shown as reading support; use the Chinese sentence and translation to confirm the grammar relationship.
他已就这个问题做了检讨。
He has reviewed his conduct regarding this issue.
我想就就业问题谈几点看法。
I would like to offer several views on employment.
双方将就合同细节继续讨论。
The two sides will continue discussing the contract details.
04 / LIMITS
When to Use It — and When Not To
Use it when
- Identify the issue discussed in a formal statement.
- Introduce the subject of a review, explanation, or self-criticism.
- Narrow a talk or document to one defined topic.
Do not use it when
- Do not place the topic before prepositional 就.
- Do not move the 就 phrase after the discussion verb.
- Do not confuse it with temporal or restrictive adverb 就.
05 / REPAIR
Compare Right and Wrong
Compare the smallest meaningful change. Each explanation identifies a placement, scope, form, or clause relationship instead of treating the whole sentence as one undifferentiated mistake.
他这个问题就做了检讨。
他就这个问题做了检讨。
The topic is placed before its preposition
In the target prepositional use, 就 must directly introduce its topic object 这个问题.
双方将继续讨论就合同细节。
双方将就合同细节继续讨论。
The topic phrase follows the discussion verb
The complete prepositional phrase 就合同细节 is an adverbial and must precede 继续讨论.
他这个问题就做了检讨。
In the target prepositional use, 就 must directly introduce its topic object 这个问题.
双方将继续讨论就合同细节。
The complete prepositional phrase 就合同细节 is an adverbial and must precede 继续讨论.
06 / PRACTICE
Practice the Grammar Point
Complete three short tasks in order: judge the pattern, repair a common error, and build the sentence. Feedback is fixed and reviewed, so these activities do not use a checker allowance.
1. Judge the sentence
2. Choose the correction
3. Build the sentence
Build a complete sentence with 就（关涉）.
07 / APPLY
Apply It in Your Sentence
Write one original sentence with 就（关涉）. Your draft moves to the checker through this browser session, selects this grammar point as the first review focus, and waits for you to submit.
08 / QUESTIONS
就: Restricting Discussion to a Topic Questions
How can I distinguish this 就 from adverb 就?
Prepositional 就 takes a following topic noun phrase and means regarding. Adverb 就 directly modifies a predicate or marks sequence and focus.
Which verbs commonly follow a 就 topic phrase?
Formal combinations include 就…讨论, 就…说明, 就…检讨, 就…发表意见, and 就…达成协议.
09 / SOURCES
Sources and Review Notes
These references support different parts of the lesson. GF0025-2021 supports level placement only; professional grammar works support the explanation, limits, examples, and cross-checks. Their inclusion does not imply endorsement.
Chinese Proficiency Grading Standards for International Chinese Language Education (GF0025-2021)
Ministry of Education and State Language Commission · Ministry of Education of the PRC · 2021
Locator: GF0025-2021 Appendix A, combined Levels 7–9 item 【七—九050】, 介词就引出对象 (printed p. 241; PDF page 247)
Supports placement in the official combined Levels 7-9 band; the exact site level remains an internal difficulty label; it does not independently establish the usage explanation.
Official sourceModern Mandarin Chinese Grammar: A Practical Guide, 3rd ed.
Ross, Ma, Chen, He and Yeh · Routledge · 2024
Locator: Chapter 14, prepositions and their objects; Chapter 25, §25.11.4, introducing a topic with 关于 and related formal topic phrases
Establishes preposition + object phrases as preverbal adverbials and distinguishes topic-introducing phrases from homophonous logical adverbs.
Official source10 / CONTINUE
Continue with a Connected Rule
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至于至于: As for a New Subtopic
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Compare this lesson with 对……来说 restricting a judgment to one perspective; both belong to topic and perspective framing, but they organize a different sentence role or discourse job.
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