刚知道

gāng zhī dào
adverb + verbIntermediate just found out
informal

To have recently become aware of a fact or piece of information.

刚知道这个消息,我非常震惊。

I was shocked when I just found out this news.

你刚知道她怀孕了吗?

Did you just find out she's pregnant?

💡

Often used in spoken Chinese to emphasize the recent discovery of information. Can imply surprise or sudden realization.

Collocations

刚知道就...as soon as I found out...刚知道的消息news I just found out

Related Phrases

才知道phrase
only just realized/learned
才发现phrase
only just discovered

💡Pro Tip

Contextual meaning

The phrase '刚知道' emphasizes the recent discovery of information, often with an implied reaction. In English, 'just found out' captures both the timing and the emotional impact better than literal translations like 'just knew'.

Gold Rule

Usage timing

Use '刚知道' when the information was discovered very recently, typically within the same day or conversation context. It doesn't work for long-standing knowledge.

📖Word Origin

Combination of '刚' (just/recently) and '知道' (to know). The phrase emerged in modern Mandarin as a colloquial expression for recent discovery of information.

📝Usage Notes

1. Typically used in conversational contexts rather than formal writing. 2. Often followed by a clause showing the speaker's reaction or subsequent action. 3. The 'just found out' meaning is context-dependent and may not always translate directly to 'just' in English.

Word Breakdown

just/recently
adverb
+
知道
to know
verb
汉英词典