通通 (tōng tōng) vs 唯独 (wéi dú) — all vs only

Subj. + 通通 (tōngtōng) / 统统 (tǒngtǒng) + Verb (all without exception); 唯 (wéi) / 唯独 (wéidú) / 唯有 (wéiyǒu) + Noun / Subj. + Verb (only, solely)

HSK 7–93.0

Pattern diagram

Who / what通通统统Action，唯独唯有Who / whatAction

Rule structure

通通 (tōngtōng) and 统统 (tǒngtǒng) mean “all without exception”. 唯 (wéi), 唯独 (wéidú) and 唯有 (wéiyǒu) single out one case: “only”. 唯 (wéi) is literary; 唯独 (wéi dú) emphasizes an exception, while 唯有 (wéi yǒu) can introduce the sole condition or solution: 唯有努力 (wéiyǒu nǔlì), “only by making an effort”. Their collocations differ; they are not complete synonyms.

Rule structure

Examples

这些旧书通通不要了，唯独那本词典留着。

Zhèxiē jiù shū tōngtōng bú yào le, wéidú nà běn cídiǎn liúzhe.

All these old books are to be discarded; only that dictionary is kept.

Examples

这些旧书通通不要了，唯独那本词典留着。

Zhèxiē jiù shū tōngtōng bú yào le, wéidú nà běn cídiǎn liúzhe.

All these old books are to be discarded; only that dictionary is kept.

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Words from this rule

通

tōng

To pass through, to communicate

统统

tǒng tǒng

All, entirely, completely

唯

wéi

Only

唯独

wéi dú

Only; alone

唯有

wéi yǒu

Only, alone

这些

zhè xiē

These

旧

jiù

Old

书

shū

Book

不要

bú yào

Don't want; don't

了

Particle (completed action or change of state)

那

nà

That

本

běn

Measure word for books and notebooks; root, origin

Frequently asked questions

How do you say “all vs only” in Chinese with 通通 vs 唯独?

Use the structure: Subj. + 通通 (tōngtōng) / 统统 (tǒngtǒng) + Verb (all without exception); 唯 (wéi) / 唯独 (wéidú) / 唯有 (wéiyǒu) + Noun / Subj. + Verb (only, solely). For example: 这些旧书通通不要了，唯独那本词典留着。 — “All these old books are to be discarded; only that dictionary is kept”.

What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?

这些旧书通通不要了，唯独那本词典留着。 — “All these old books are to be discarded; only that dictionary is kept”.

Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?

This grammar rule is part of HSK 3.0 Levels 7–9.

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More HSK 3.0 Levels 7–9 grammar rules

向来 — always previously

Subj. + 向来 (xiànglái) + Verb / Adj.

偏 — contrary to expectations

Subj. + 偏偏 (piānpiān) + Verb (undesirable coincidence)

无非 — nothing but

无非 (wúfēi) + Noun / Clause (dismissive)

何必 — why bother

何必 (hébì) + Verb Phrase (rhetorical, unnecessary)

按理 — logically speaking

按理 (ànlǐ) / 按说 (ànshuō) + Clause (conclusion that clashes with the fact)

不妨 vs 务必 — advice vs requirement

不妨 (bùfáng) + Verb Phrase (soft suggestion) / 务必 (wùbì) + Verb Phrase (insistent requirement)

照常 — as usual

Subj. + 照常 (zhàocháng) / 照例 (zhàolì) / 照样 (zhàoyàng) + Verb

碰巧 / 恰巧 — coincidence

Subj. + 碰巧 (pèngqiǎo) / 恰巧 (qiàqiǎo) + Verb Phrase