刚刚

Place 刚刚 right before the verb. It is like a prefix for your actions. You can say 我刚刚到 (I just arrived). You can also use it as a standalone answer. If someone asks when you finished, just say 刚刚. It is simple and punchy. No complex grammar is needed here. Just drop it in and keep going.

Use it when you want to explain why you are out of breath. Use it when you missed a call by five seconds. It is perfect for texting friends to say you just woke up. In a restaurant, use it to tell the waiter you just ordered. It works beautifully in any casual conversation. It bridges the gap between the past and the present moment.

Do not use it for things that happened yesterday. If the event was hours ago, use 刚才 instead. 刚刚 is for things that are practically still happening. Also, avoid using it in very stiff, ancient legal documents. It is a living, breathing word for daily life. If you use it for a graduation three years ago, people will be very confused. Keep it fresh and keep it recent.

Chinese culture values being 'on time' and 'in the moment'. 刚刚 reflects this focus on the immediate present. Doubling the character 刚 makes it sound softer and more rhythmic. It is a very 'friendly' sounding word. It lacks the harshness of some formal time markers. In many dialects, people might even add a little 'r' sound at the end to make it sound even cuter.

You will often hear just 刚. This is the shorter, faster version. 刚才 is another sibling, but it feels slightly further away. Some people say 刚才刚刚 when they are really excited, though it is redundant. You might also see 恰恰好 which means 'just right' in terms of amount. Stick with 刚刚 for time, and you will sound like a local in no time.