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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing 'only' with 只 (zhǐ)

    HSK 2
    Degree & Intensity
    Numbers & Quantity

    Structure

    Subject + 只 + Verb

    Explanation

    只 means "only" or "just" and restricts the scope of what follows. It is placed before a verb or verb phrase to limit the action or quantity. For example, 我只有一个 means "I only have one" and 他只喝水 means "He only drinks water."

    Examples

    • 我只吃了一碗饭，真的不饿了。

      wǒ zhǐ chī le yì wǎn fàn, zhēn de bú è le.

      I only ate one bowl of rice, I'm really not hungry anymore.

    • 她只会说英语，不会说中文。

      tā zhǐ huì shuō yīngyǔ, bú huì shuō zhōngwén.

      She can only speak English, not Chinese.

    • 今天只来了三个人。

      jīntiān zhǐ lái le sān gè rén.

      Only three people came today.

    Often Confused With

    Expressing 'only' with 只 (zhǐ) | Chinese Grammar