Meanings of 只是
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Podcast: 只是
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AI Study Notes for 只是
只 (zhǐ) vs 仅 (jǐn) — use 只是 when emphasizing a limitation with a contrastive nuance, while 仅 is more formal and often implies a stricter limit without contrast.
Be cautious not to confuse 只是 with other similar terms like 仅仅 (jǐn jǐn), which also means 'only' but can carry a slightly different nuance. This expression is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, making it versatile in conversation.
While 只是 is not an HSK word, it can be seen as an advanced connector for learners progressing beyond basic vocabulary. Focus on using it in sentences to practice contrastive statements and to express limitations.
Learners often misuse 只是 by placing it incorrectly in sentences, such as '我只是喜欢他但是他不喜欢我' (I merely like him but he doesn't like me), which should be '我喜欢他，只是他不喜欢我' (I like him, but he merely doesn't like me).
Pronunciation of 只是
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Component Characters
How to say merely in Chinese
“merely” in Chinese is只是
只是 (zhǐ shì) is used to indicate limitation or restriction, often translating to 'merely', 'simply', or 'only'. It can also introduce a contrast, similar to 'but' in English, emphasizing a point that follows a previous statement.
When to use 只是
Be cautious not to confuse 只是 with other similar terms like 仅仅 (jǐn jǐn), which also means 'only' but can carry a slightly different nuance. This expression is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, making it versatile in conversation.
只是 or something close to it
只 (zhǐ) vs 仅 (jǐn) — use 只是 when emphasizing a limitation with a contrastive nuance, while 仅 is more formal and often implies a stricter limit without contrast.
What learners get wrong
Learners often misuse 只是 by placing it incorrectly in sentences, such as '我只是喜欢他但是他不喜欢我' (I merely like him but he doesn't like me), which should be '我喜欢他，只是他不喜欢我' (I like him, but he merely doesn't like me).
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Frequently Asked Questions about 只是
Use 只是 when you want to emphasize a limitation or a simple fact, while 但是 is used to introduce a contrasting point.
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