How to say “that's all” in Chinese with 而已 (éryǐ)
Clause + 而已 (éryǐ)
Expressing "that's all" with "而已 (éryǐ)"
Clause + 而已 (éryǐ)
HSK 5Sentence PatternsExpressing "that's all" with "而已 (éryǐ)"
Rule structure
而已 (éryǐ) is a formal/classical particle meaning "that’s all, merely". It downplays the importance of the statement. Often paired with 只是 (zhǐ shì).
Rule structure
而已 (éryǐ) is a formal/classical particle meaning "that’s all, merely". It downplays the importance of the statement. Often paired with 只是 (zhǐ shì).
Examples
我只是开玩笑而已。
Wǒ zhǐshì kāi wánxiào éryǐ.
I was just kidding, that’s all.
Examples
我只是开玩笑而已。
Wǒ zhǐshì kāi wánxiào éryǐ.
I was just kidding, that’s all.
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Frequently asked questions
How do you express “Expressing "that's all" with "而已 (éryǐ)"” in Chinese?
Use the structure: Clause + 而已 (éryǐ). For example: 我只是开玩笑而已。 — “I was just kidding, that’s all.”.
What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?
我只是开玩笑而已。 — “I was just kidding, that’s all.”.
Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?
This grammar rule is part of HSK 5.
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More HSK 5 grammar rules
Expressing "related to…" with "有关的 (yǒuguān de)"
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Expressing "not only…, even…" using "不但 (bùdàn) … 甚至连 (shènzhì lián) …"
不但 (búdàn) + Clause 1, 甚至 (shènzhì) + 连 (lián) + Noun + 都 (dōu)/也 (yě) + Verb
Expressing "so-called" with "所谓 (suǒwèi)"
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Expressing simultaneous actions with "一面 (yímiàn)"
一面 (yímiàn) + Verb 1, 一面 (yímiàn) + Verb 2
Expressing "equal to" with "等于 (děngyú)"
A + 等于 (děngyú) + B
Expressing "let alone" with "更不用说 (gèng bùyòng shuō)"
⋯⋯,更不用说 (gèng bùyòng shuō)⋯⋯
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别说 (biéshuō)⋯⋯,就是 (jiùshì)⋯⋯
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