About

The word "而已" is formed by combining the character "而", which in this context acts as a grammatical particle to connect and soften the statement, with "已", meaning "to stop" or "to cease"; together they create a compound used exclusively at the end of a sentence to denote limitation, effectively meaning "and that's all" or "nothing more", with "已" conveying the sense of cessation that bounds the preceding information.

Example Sentences Hide

这件事而已

Zhè jiàn shì éryǐ.

It's just this matter.

我只是说说而已

Wǒ zhǐshì shuō shuo éryǐ.

I'm just saying it, that's all.

这只是个小错误而已

Zhè zhǐshì gè xiǎo cuòwù éryǐ.

This is just a minor mistake, nothing more.

他所谓的秘诀不过是勤奋而已

Tā suǒwèi de mìjué búguò shì qínfèn éryǐ.

His so-called secret is nothing but diligence.

历史常常只是胜利者书写的记录而已

Lìshǐ chángcháng zhǐshì shènglì zhě shūxiě de jìlù éryǐ.

History is often merely a record written by the victors.

Word Definition - 而已

ér yǐ that's all; nothing more

Individual Character Details