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  3. Expressing "only" with 只 ("zhǐ")

Expressing "only" with 只 ("zhǐ")

只 zhǐ

Adverb
HSK 2

Structure

只 + Verb 只 + 会 / 能 + Verb

Translations

  • limits the action to just that

Definition

只（zhǐ）是一个副词，表示限制范围、数量或可能性，相当于“仅仅”、“只有”。

只 (zhǐ) is an adverb that indicates a limitation in scope, quantity, or possibility, equivalent to 'only' or 'just'.

Usage

只通常放在动词或动词短语之前，用来限定所涉及的对象、数量或动作。可以在句中与名词、数量词、代词等连用。例如：'我只吃素。' 也可以用于否定句中，如'不只是这样。'

只 is usually placed before a verb or verb phrase to restrict the object, quantity, or action involved. It can be used with nouns, measure words, pronouns, etc. For example: 'I only eat vegetables.' It can also be used in negative sentences, e.g., 'It's not only this.'

Examples

  • 1 我只喝咖啡，不喝茶。 (I only drink coffee, not tea.)
  • 2 他只有一个孩子。 (He has only one child.)
  • 3 我们只有三天时间。 (We only have three days.)
  • 4 这件事不只是你的责任。 (This matter is not only your responsibility.)
  • 5 我只想睡觉。 (I just want to sleep.)
  • 6 她只用了十分钟就到了。 (It only took her ten minutes to get there.)
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