Chinese word

只是

Pronunciation

Pinyinzhǐ shì

Meaning

  • adverbjust

Example

我只是想睡觉。wǒ zhǐ shì xiǎng shuì jiào

I just want to sleep.

Illustration for 只是 (just)

More examples

他迟到，只是因为下雨。tā chí dào zhǐ shì yīn wèi xià yǔ

He was late just because it was raining.

Core concept

A speaker narrows attention to one modest fact, leaving stronger or additional reasons outside the frame.

Common phrases

  • 只是想zhǐ shì xiǎng

    just want to

  • 只是因为zhǐ shì yīn wèi

    just because

  • 只是而已zhǐ shì ér yǐ

    just that

Similar words

只zhǐ: Marks the stated quantity or scope as the only amount or range involved.
只有zhí yǒu: Indicates that something applies only when a stated condition is met or to a stated target.

Definition in Chinese

表示对动作或情况的限定，强调只有所说的内容而无其他或更重要的成分，常用来弱化语气或说明动机。biǎo shì duì dòng zuò huò qíng kuàng de xiàn dìng qiáng diào zhí yǒu suǒ shuō de nèi róng ér wú qí tā huò gèng zhòng yào de chéng fèn cháng yòng lái ruò huà yǔ qì huò shuō míng dòng jī

Word origin

只 (zhǐ, "only") contributes the sense of restriction, while 是 (shì, "to be") frames the restricted point as the stated reality; together they form 只是 (zhǐshì, "just; only").

Usage tips

  • English just can mean "a moment ago," but this Chinese adverb does not carry that time meaning; in this use, it limits the speaker's motive or claim.

Other meanings

  • onlyparticle

Opposites

Word lists with this word