Meanings of 隻
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 隻
Podcast: 隻
Podcast: 隻
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 隻
只 (zhǐ) vs 隻 (zhī): Use 隻 when emphasizing exclusivity or singularity in a more formal or literary context, while 只 is more commonly used in everyday speech to mean 'only'.
Learners often confuse 隻 with 只 (zhǐ), which also means 'only' but is used in different contexts. 隻 is typically used with measure words for certain animals or objects, while 只 is more general and used for counting. Be mindful of the tone, as mispronouncing it may change the meaning.
While 隻 is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, it connects closely with other words expressing limitation or singularity, like 只 (zhǐ) and 单 (dān). Students at this level should focus on the difference between 隻 and 只 in various contexts.
Learners often confuse 隻 with 只, leading to sentences like '我隻有一隻狗' which should be '我只有一隻狗' to be correct. Remember, 隻 is used for counting, while 只 serves as a general term for limitation.
Pronunciation of 隻
Drill the tone of 隻 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Etymology of 隻
Origin unclear. In simplified Chinese 只 is also used to mean "[measure word]", while in traditional Chinese this meaning is written with a separate character 隻.
again
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 隻
Origin unclear. In simplified Chinese 只 is also used to mean "[measure word]", while in traditional Chinese this meaning is written with a separate character 隻.
- 1The meaning half又 carries the sense.
- 2The sound half隹 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
- 3The giveawayagain
- 4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 隻? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 隻?
Decomposition of 隻
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 隻?
How to say only, merely, just in Chinese
“only, merely, just” in Chinese is隻
The character 隻 (zhī) is used to express the idea of being the only one or merely something. It is commonly used when emphasizing exclusivity or a singularity in both daily conversation and literary contexts.
When to use 隻
Learners often confuse 隻 with 只 (zhǐ), which also means 'only' but is used in different contexts. 隻 is typically used with measure words for certain animals or objects, while 只 is more general and used for counting. Be mindful of the tone, as mispronouncing it may change the meaning.
隻 or something close to it
只 (zhǐ) vs 隻 (zhī): Use 隻 when emphasizing exclusivity or singularity in a more formal or literary context, while 只 is more commonly used in everyday speech to mean 'only'.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 隻 with 只, leading to sentences like '我隻有一隻狗' which should be '我只有一隻狗' to be correct. Remember, 隻 is used for counting, while 只 serves as a general term for limitation.
Write 隻
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 隻 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Word Family of 隻
Compound Meaning
What does 只 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 隻
You can use 隻 to specify a single item, like '我只有一隻狗' (I have only one dog).
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 隻?
Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.