About
The character "祗" is structured as a phono-semantic compound with the semantic component "示", relating to altars or divine matters, and the phonetic component "氐", which provides its sound. Etymologically, it originally conveyed the sense of respectful veneration or piety towards spiritual entities. Over time, its meaning occasionally broadened in classical texts to function as an adverb meaning "only" or "merely", though this usage is often associated with the graphically similar character "祇". The traditional form of "祗" retains these components, and its primary semantic association has consistently been with reverence, despite some contextual shifts due to phonetic borrowing.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
我祗想回家。
他祗吃蔬菜。
这祗是一个开始。
我祗能帮助你一点点。
祗有努力才能成功。
他祗顾自己不顾别人。
祗要你开心我就满意。
祗因相信所以坚持。