Expressing "only" with "zhǐ" "只"
There are a number of different ways to express "only" in Chinese, but 只 (zhǐ) is the most basic one you need to learn first. It's an adverb, so it normally comes before verbs.
Structure
The adverb 只 (zhǐ) can come directly before a verb, or before an auxiliary verb like 会 (huì) or 能 (néng).
Examples
- 我 只 有 一 个 哥哥。
Wǒ zhǐ yǒu yī gè gēge.
I only have one older brother.
- 我们 只 有 十块 钱。
Wǒmen zhǐ yǒu shí kuài qián.
We only have ten RMB.
- 我们 公司 只 有 两个员工。
Wǒmen gōngsī zhǐ yǒu liǎng gè yuángōng.
Our company only has two employees.
- 你 只 爱 吃 肉 吗？
Nǐ zhǐ ài chī ròu ma?
Do you only like eating meat?
- 他们 只 会 说 英文。
Tāmen zhǐ huì shuō Yīngwén.
They can only speak English.
- 我 只 能 说 两 句 中文。
Wǒ zhǐ néng shuō liǎng jù Zhōngwén.
I can only say two sentences in Chinese.
- 你们 只 要 咖啡 吗？
Nǐmen zhǐ yào kāfēi ma?
Do you only want coffee?
- 我 老婆 只 要 一个 孩子。
Wǒ lǎopo zhǐ yào yī gè háizi.
My wife only wants one child.
- 宝宝 只 会 走，不 会 跑。
Bǎobao zhǐ huì zǒu, bù huì pǎo.
The baby can only walk. He can't run.
- 我 只 想 跟 你 在 一起。
Wǒ zhǐ xiǎng gēn nǐ zài yīqǐ.
I only want to be with you.
See Also
Sources and further reading
Books
- Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 1 (3rd ed) (p. 87)
- Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar: A Practical Guide (p. 251)