Meaning of 只是
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- merely; only; just; nothing but
- simply
- but; however
How to use 只是
As an adverb, 只是 means "merely" or "just" and often softens a statement, as in 我只是问问 (wǒ zhǐshì wènwen), "I'm just asking." As a conjunction it means "but" or "it's just that," adding a mild reservation: 这件衣服很好看，只是有点贵 (zhè jiàn yīfu hěn hǎokàn, zhǐshì yǒudiǎn guì), "This piece of clothing looks nice, it's just a bit expensive."
只是 combines 只 (zhǐ), "only," with 是 (shì), "is." Read it as "it only is": something is just this and nothing more.
Common mistake: Learners often use 只是 where 但是 (dànshì) is needed for a strong contrast. 只是 sounds softer and fits a small drawback, while 但是 marks a real turn. Also do not confuse 只 (zhǐ, only) with 知 (zhī, to know) when typing zhishi.
只是 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
只 zhǐ · only · 5 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
是 shì · to be · 9 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
Related words
Words that share a character with 只是.
| 还是 | háishi | still (as before); had better |
| 是不是 | shì bu shì | is or is not (used to form yes-no questions) |
| 但是 | dànshì | but; however |
| 可是 | kěshì | but; however; (used for emphasis) indeed |
| 只要 | zhǐyào | so long as; provided; if |
| 只能 | zhǐ néng | can only; obliged to do sth |
| 正是 | zhèngshì | is precisely |
| 老是 | lǎoshì | always |
| 就是 | jiùshì | exactly; precisely; only; simply; just |
| 只有 | zhǐyǒu | only have ...; there is only ...; (used in combination with 才[cai2]) it is only if ... (th |
| 要是 | yàoshi | (coll.) if |
| 总是 | zǒngshì | always |
Questions about 只是
What does 只是 mean?
只是 (zhǐshì) means "merely; only; just; nothing but; simply" and is used as a adverb and conjunction.
How do you write 只是?
只是 is made of 2 characters: 只 (5 strokes), 是 (9 strokes). That is 14 strokes in total.
Is 只是 an HSK word?
Yes. 只是 is on the HSK 3 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
What is the difference between 只是 and 只 on their own?
只 (zhǐ) alone usually sits right before a verb, as in 我只喝水 (wǒ zhǐ hē shuǐ), "I only drink water." 只是 can come before a whole phrase or explanation and often carries a softening, "it's merely that" feeling. 只 alone cannot work as the conjunction "but."
Can 只是 start a sentence?
Yes. When it means "but" or "it's just that," it often opens the second clause or a new sentence, such as 只是我没有时间 (zhǐshì wǒ méiyǒu shíjiān), "It's just that I don't have time." It politely adds a limitation to what was said before.