只
zhī
Measure word for animals, etc.
How to say “only” in Chinese with 只 (zhǐ)
Subj. + 只 (zhǐ) + Verb + Obj.
只 (zhī) — only, just
HSK 3Adverbs
Subj. + 只 (zhǐ) + Verb + Obj.
HSK 3Adverbs只 (zhī) — only, just
Rule structure
只 (zhǐ) is an adverb meaning "only" or "just," placed before the verb to restrict the scope of the action to one thing.
Rule structure
只 (zhǐ) is an adverb meaning "only" or "just," placed before the verb to restrict the scope of the action to one thing.
Examples
我只喝茶，不喝咖啡。
Wǒ zhǐ hē chá, bù hē kāfēi.
I only drink tea, not coffee.
他只看书。
Tā zhǐ kànshū.
He only reads books.
我只吃苹果。
Wǒ zhǐ chī píngguǒ.
I only eat apples.
Examples
我只喝茶，不喝咖啡。
Wǒ zhǐ hē chá, bù hē kāfēi.
I only drink tea, not coffee.
他只看书。
Tā zhǐ kànshū.
He only reads books.
我只吃苹果。
Wǒ zhǐ chī píngguǒ.
I only eat apples.
Practice
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Characters
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Frequently asked questions
How do you say “only, just” in Chinese with 只?
Use the structure: Subj. + 只 (zhǐ) + Verb + Obj.. For example: 我只喝茶，不喝咖啡。 — “I only drink tea, not coffee”.
What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?
我只喝茶，不喝咖啡。 — “I only drink tea, not coffee”.
Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?
This grammar rule is part of HSK 3.
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More HSK 3 grammar rules
一边 — doing two things at once
一边 (yìbiān) + Verb 1, 一边 (yìbiān) + Verb 2
终于 — finally
Subj. + 终于 (zhōngyú) + Verb + 了 (le)
总是 — always
总是 (zǒngshì) + Predicate
几乎 — nearly, almost
Subj. + 几乎 (jīhū) + Verb/Adj.
又 — again in the past
又 (yòu) + Verb + 了 (le)
才 — lateness, “not until”
Subj. + Time + 才 (cái) + Verb
先 — first… then…
先 (xiān)……, 再 (zài)……
老是 — always (complaining)
Subj. + 老是 (lǎoshì) + Verb/Adj.