Definitions

jǐn (adverb) only; merely; barely

Etymology

Simplified from . Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic:

About

The character is the simplified form of the traditional character , a phono-semantic compound that pairs the left component , meaning 'person,' with the right component , which provides the sound. Its meaning centers on restriction and limitation, translating to 'only,' 'merely,' or 'barely,' and it is used in both numerical and qualitative contexts. In the simplification, the complex phonetic on the right was reduced to the much simpler . Originally, depicted a right hand and meant 'again,' but here it functions purely as a graphic abbreviation to save strokes, carrying over the established sense of limitation from the traditional form without contributing any separate meaning.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

有一本中文书。

Wǒ jǐn yǒu yī běn Zhōngwén shū.

I only have one Chinese book.

学习了三天。

Tā jǐn xuéxí le sān tiān.

He only studied for three days.

是个开始。

Zhè jǐnjǐn shì gè kāishǐ.

This is only the beginning.

我不喜欢猫,也喜欢狗。

Wǒ bùjǐn xǐhuan māo, yě xǐhuan gǒu.

I not only like cats, but also like dogs.

这项服务限会员使用。

Zhè xiàng fúwù jǐn xiàn huìyuán shǐyòng.

This service is limited to members only.

凭一人之力完成了任务。

Tā jǐn píng yī rén zhī lì wánchéng le rènwù.

He completed the task solely by his own efforts.

这不是一个问题,更是一个挑战。

Zhè bùjǐn shì yī gè wèntí, gèng shì yī gè tiǎozhàn.

This is not only a problem, but also a challenge.

在如此短的时间内,我们能完成初步计划。

Zài rúcǐ duǎn de shíjiān nèi, wǒmen jǐn néng wánchéng chūbù jìhuà.

In such a short time, we can only complete the preliminary plan.