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Character Breakdown

Usage of

The word (jǐn) is used to emphasize limitation or small quantity, meaning "only," "merely," or "just." It often appears before numbers or quantities to stress that something is minimal or restricted.

Common Collocations

  • (only have): emphasizes scarcity or limited amount.
  • 仅仅 (merely, only): strengthens the sense of limitation.
  • (only use): highlights minimal usage or effort.

Nuances and Usage Notes

Using conveys a sense of something being just enough or barely sufficient. It is often used in formal or written contexts but also common in spoken Chinese when stressing limitation. Avoid confusing with (zhǐ), which also means "only" but is more general and less formal. tends to emphasize the smallness or insufficiency more strongly.

Example Contexts

  • Talking about minimal quantities or time.
  • Highlighting limited resources or numbers.
  • Expressing that something barely meets a requirement.

Example Sentences

I only just passed this exam.

He completed the task in only three days.

Our company has only ten employees.