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只是

zhǐ shì
HSK 3.0 Level 3 Adverb Very common

Definitions

  1. 1. merely; only; just; nothing but
  2. 2. simply
  3. 3. but; however

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Word relationships

Antonyms

1 item
不只
bù zhǐ

not only

只是 means 'only', while 不只 means 'not only'.

Related words

1 item
但是
dàn shì

but; however

只是 as 'but' is weaker and often implies a minor contrast or explanation, whereas 但是 indicates a stronger contradiction.

Synonyms

1 item
仅仅
jǐn jǐn

barely

When emphasizing a small amount or degree, interchangeable with 只是 in some contexts, but 仅仅 is more formal and stronger in tone.

Usage notes

Common mistakes

只是 as 'but' is milder than 但是 and is often used to introduce an explanation or excuse, not a strong contradiction.

Example Sentences

5 shown
他 只是 迟到了，不至于被开除吧。
He was just late; it's unlikely to go so far as to get him fired, right?
他 只是 跟你开玩笑。
He is just joking with you.
他 只是 名义上的领导，没有实权。
He is only the nominal leader and has no real power.
他 只是 蒙的。
He was just making a wild guess.
他们 只是 口头答应，没有签字。
They only agreed verbally, without signing.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Child Words of 只是

只
zhǐ

only

是
shì

to be (followed by substantives only)

只
zhī

grain that has begun to ripen