只

祇/秖/衹/隻
zhī, zhǐ
八 + 口
HSK 3.0Level 1

Definitions

zhǐ (adverb) only; merely; just
zhī (particle) measure word for birds, animals, certain containers, and one of a pair
zhī (numeral) one of a pair

Etymology

Origin unclear. In simplified Chinese, in addition to the meaning "only", 只 is also used as a measure word. In traditional Chinese this meaning is written as 隻.

About

The simplified character 只 merges two traditional characters with distinct functions. One, written 只 and composed of 口 (mouth) and 八 (diverging), was originally a grammatical particle that later came to mean "only"; its exact origin is unclear. The other, 隻, depicts a hand (又) holding a bird (隹) and served as a measure word for individual animals, one of a pair, boats, and similar items. After simplification, 只 now handles both roles, acting as an adverb of limitation or a classifier depending on context.

Example Sentences Hide

我有一只小猫。

Wǒ yǒu yī zhī xiǎo māo.

I have a small cat.

他只喝牛奶。

Tā zhǐ hē niúnǎi.

He only drinks milk.

我只要一杯水。

Wǒ zhǐ yào yī bēi shuǐ.

I only want a glass of water.

这只是个开始。

Zhè zhǐ shì gè kāishǐ.

This is just the beginning.

我们只有三个苹果。

Wǒmen zhǐ yǒu sān gè píngguǒ.

We only have three apples.

只吃零食不健康。

Zhǐ chī língshí bù jiànkāng.

Only eating snacks is unhealthy.

他只完成了作业的一部分。

Tā zhǐ wánchéng le zuòyè de yī bùfen.

He only completed part of the homework.

尽管他只有十岁，但他已经读了很多书。

Jǐnguǎn tā zhǐ yǒu shí suì, dàn tā yǐjīng dúle hěnduō shū.

Although he is only ten years old, he has already read many books.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

识 织 职 积 帜 炽 咫 枳 轵 胑 嘦 軹 齞

Component: 八

分 其 公 共 办 具 兵 火 八 六 兴 黄 父 率

Component: 口

中 和 可 后 如 同 知 高 问 向 或 加 合 回

Example Words

只好 只是 只有 只要 不只 只不过 只得 只怕 只消 只当 只管 只言片语 只读 只顾 大只 形单影只 船只 只字不提 只身