juste

Back to J Words

/ʒyst/

adverb

only

merely

J'ai juste deux euros sur moi.

I only have two euros on me.

Synonyms:seulement, uniquement

adverb

just (a moment ago)

recently (a short time ago)

Je viens juste d'arriver.

I just arrived.

Synonyms:à l'instant, à peine, tout juste

adverb

exactly

precisely

C'est juste ce dont j'avais besoin.

That's exactly what I needed.

Synonyms:exactement, précisément

adjective

fair, equitable

correct, accurate

Le juge a rendu un verdict juste.

The judge delivered a fair verdict.

Synonyms:équitable, impartial, correct

Notes

GENERAL INFO

Juste is versatile: it can be an adjective meaning "just," "fair," or "right," and an adverb meaning "just," "only," "exactly," or "barely."

USAGE

As an adjective: *C'est une décision juste.* (It's a just decision.)

As an adverb: *Il est juste midi.* (It's exactly noon.) *J'ai juste faim.* (I'm just/only hungry.) *Elle vient juste d'arriver.* (She has just arrived.)

TRAPS

As an adjective, juste agrees in number (*des prix justes*).

As an adverb, it is invariable. Don't confuse its adverbial "only" with *seulement*, which is solely "only" and doesn't carry the "exactly" or "barely" nuance.