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HSK 2.0 Level 3+ HSK 3.0 Level 3+ 6 min read

Scope Adverbs 只, 就, 一共, 到处, 一块儿

Say “only”, “in total”, “everywhere” and “together” with 只, 就, 只是, 一共, 到处 and 一块儿.

Pattern

subject + 只/就/一共/到处/一块儿 + verb (…); 就 + noun (spoken “only”)

Scope adverbs sit right before the verb: 只 limits it, 一共 adds it up, 到处 spreads it everywhere.

我只会说一点儿汉语。

When to use Scope Adverbs 只, 就, 一共, 到处, 一块儿

只 means “only” and goes right before the verb, never after it: 我只喝了一杯. 就 can mean the same “only” in speech, and unlike 只 it can also come straight before a noun or number: 就他一个人没来 “he’s the only one who didn’t come”. If 就 is followed by a verb, context decides between “only” and “then”, so use 只 when you want to be clear.

早上我只喝了一杯牛奶。

I only had a glass of milk this morning.

我身上就五十块钱。

I’ve only got fifty yuan on me.

就他一个人没来。

He’s the only one who didn’t come.

这些一共多少钱？

How much are these altogether?

Common traps

  • Put 只 before the verb: 我只喝了一杯, not 我喝了只一杯.
  • For “only he knows”, say 只有他知道 or 就他知道; 他只知道 means “he only knows”.
  • 到处 goes before the verb: 他到处找钥匙, not 他找钥匙到处.

Targeted drill

Practice this exact pattern before moving on.

我 买了一张票，没买别的

I bought only one ticket and nothing else
Fill in the missing piece, then press Enter

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