仅

• Pinyin: jǐn
• Hanzi breakdown: 仅 = 亻(person) + 又 (again), simplified from 僅 where 堇 served as the phonetic component

Meaning

Only; merely; just. Indicates a small quantity or limited scope.

A more formal or written alternative to 只. Used to emphasise that the amount or scope is limited or smaller than expected. Often found in news, official writing, and formal speech rather than casual conversation.

Examples

1. 这家店仅有三名员工。 This shop has only three employees.
2. 仅一天的时间，他就学会了。 In just one day, he learned it.
3. 仅凭这些证据还不能下结论。 We cannot draw a conclusion based on this evidence alone.

Usage Guide

Context: written, news, formal speech

Tone: emphatic

Do Say

• 这次活动仅限会员参加。(This event is limited to members only.)
• 仅三个月，公司就盈利了。(In just three months, the company became profitable.)

Don't Say

• 我仅想吃一碗面。(Sounds overly formal for casual speech — in everyday conversation, say 我只想吃一碗面. 仅 is better suited to written or formal contexts.)

Origin & History

Simplified from 僅, composed of 亻 (person radical) and 堇 (phonetic component). The original meaning was 'barely' or 'scarcely,' evolving to 'only.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal