Sequential actions: “……了……就……”
In Chinese the pattern “……了……就……” shows that two actions happen one after the other, almost immediately.
If the second action is completed as well, another “了” is added at the end of the sentence.
Basic Structure
Verb₁ + 了 + …… + 就 + Verb₂ + ……
Meaning:
Once the first action is done, the second happens right away.
Or more simply:
... did / having done ..., immediately ... did
Examples
你听完了音乐会就来我家吃饭
Structure
听完了音乐会 + 就 + 来我家吃饭
first action + 就 + second action
听完了音乐会 — finished listening to the concert
就 — right away / after that
来我家吃饭 — come to my place to eat
我吃了早饭就去学校了
Structure
吃了早饭 + 就 + 去学校了
first action + 就 + second action
吃了早饭 — had breakfast
就 — right away / after that
去学校了 — went to school
In this sentence the second action is completed too, so another 了 comes at the end.
昨天我们下了课就回家了
Structure
下了课 + 就 + 回家了
first action + 就 + second action
下了课 — class ended
就 — right away / after that
回家了 — went home
Here too the second action is completed, so 了 is used at the end.
Quick Rule
Verb₁ + 了 + …… + 就 + Verb₂ + ……
Meaning: as soon as the first action ends, the second one happens.
If the second action is completed too:
Verb₁ + 了 + …… + 就 + Verb₂ + …… + 了
For example:
我吃了早饭就去学校了