只

• 拼音: zhǐ
• 汉字拆解: 只 = 口 (mouth) + 八 (eight), originally a pictograph of a single bird

含义

Only; just; merely. An adverb indicating limitation or restriction.

One of the most common adverbs in Chinese, used to limit the scope of an action, quantity, or condition. Placed before verbs or adjective phrases. Different from 才 which emphasizes 'not until.'

例句

1. 我只有一个哥哥。
2. 他只喝水，不喝咖啡。
3. 这家店只在周末开门。

用法指南

语境: everyday, conversation

语气: restrictive

正确说法

• 我只想休息一下。(I just want to rest for a bit.)
• 他只来了两天。(He only came for two days.)

错误说法

• 只我喜欢这个。(Don't place 只 directly before the subject without 有 — say 只有我喜欢这个. Use 只有 when restricting the subject.)

起源与历史

Originally meant 'single' or 'alone.' The character evolved from a pictograph related to a single bird.

文化背景

世代: All ages

社会背景: Universal