只顾

• Pinyin: zhǐ gù
• Hanzi breakdown: 只 = 口 (mouth) + 八 (eight); 顾 = 雇 (hire, phonetic) + 页 (head)

Meaning

Only concerned with; focused solely on; paying attention only to.

Examples

1. 他只顾着玩手机，完全没听到我说什么。 He was so focused on playing with his phone that he completely didn't hear what I said.
2. 年轻人不能只顾眼前利益，要有长远规划。 Young people shouldn't only focus on immediate benefits — they need to have long-term plans.
3. 她只顾工作，忽略了自己的健康。 She was so focused on work that she neglected her own health.

Usage Guide

Context: criticism, advice, narration

Tone: critical

Do Say

• 别只顾自己，也想想别人。(Don't only think about yourself — consider others too.)
• 他只顾赚钱，不顾家庭。(He only cares about making money and neglects his family.)

Don't Say

• 我只顾很开心。(Incorrect structure — 只顾 must be followed by a verb phrase)

Origin & History

Compound of 只 (only) and 顾 (care about, attend to). Literally 'only caring about'.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal