zhǐzhī

only

Origin unclear. In simplified Chinese, in addition to the meaning "only", is also used as a measure word. In traditional Chinese this meaning is written as .

Evolution

只 Seal script Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal script

Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
只 Seal script Shuowen (~100 AD)

Seal script

Shuowen (~100 AD)
只 Regular script Modern

Regular script

Modern
Definitions

 

zhǐ

only; merely; just; but

() 

zhī

single, one of pair, lone; classifier for birds and certain animals, one of a pair, some utensils, vessels etc

() 

zhǐ

variant of [zhǐ]

() 

zhǐ

grain that has begun to ripen; variant of |[zhǐ]

Most common words with 只
Freq.
Word
Meaning

only

只是

merely

只要

if only

只能

can only

只不过

only

Component uses

Sound component in 9 characters (4 verified)