A Study on the Grammaticalization Process and Multifunctional Development of 就: A Case Study of Yuan Dynasty Huaben Narratives

The character “就” is a commonly used word in Chinese and is listed as a Level-1 character in the Table of General Standard Chinese Characters. As one of the basic characters required for fundamental education and cultural literacy, its core meaning is “to approach,” with extended meanings including “to reach,” “to accomplish,” and more. Due to its wide range of meanings, “就” stands out as one of the most polysemous words in Chinese, with each usage taking on distinct semantic roles within a sentence. Precisely because of this multifunctionality, “就” has become a widely favored linguistic tool in expression. The Yuan Dynasty was a particularly active period in the grammaticalization of “就” from a verb into various other parts of speech. As part of a broader investigation into the character “就,” this study focuses specifically on its usages and classifications in Yuan Dynasty texts, aiming to present its features during the period of Early Modern Chinese. By exploring its historical forms, this research seeks to provide insights into how the functions of “就” in Modern Chinese have evolved. Although scholarly attention on “就” has been consistent, most existing studies tend to focus on specific meanings or functions. In contrast, research dedicated to the behavior of “就” during particular historical periods remains limited. It is hoped that this study will contribute valuable foundational data for further research on “就”.