只

zhǐ
HSK 3
#97 most
frequent character
only, merely, just, but
adverb
conjunction

Character breakdown

Source: Make Me a Hanzi.

只 shows a child's body 只 without 口 with 口 mouth open in a cry. That gave the first meaning 'to cry, wail'. Read zhǐ, 'only' was borrowed for its sound. Read zhī, 'single' was borrowed too, and it grew into a measure word for animals and one of a pair.

Drawn as: child body; open mouth

只 as a component in other characters

sound9 characters
识织职积帜炽咫枳轵

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Example Sentences

我只想要一个苹果。
wǒzhī xiǎngyào yígè píngguǒ 。
I only want one apple.
她只看书，不看电视。
tā zhī kànshū ， bùkàn diànshì 。
She only reads books and does not watch TV.
这件事我只告诉你。
zhè jiàn shì wǒzhī gàosù nǐ 。
I only told you about this matter.

Same Characters, Different Readings

HSK 4
只zhī
"classifier for birds and certain animals, one of a pair, some utensils, vessels etc"

Words with similar meanings

仅仅jǐnjǐn
merely
A slightly more formal way to express exclusivity.
只是zhǐshì
just
Used in a similar context but can imply a slight emotional nuance.

Words Starting With 只

只好zhǐ hǎo
without any better option; to have to; to be forced to
只要zhǐ yào
if only; so long as

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