只 is also the simplified spelling of 祇, 秖, 衹, 隻.
只
Characters in this entry
- 只
- zhǐ · only, just, simply
Explore the spelling
Mandarin tones
1 · zhi1
Compare attested words with these syllables ↗Dictionary tones. Connected speech can change their realization.
Connected dictionary
Sentences in context
Exact source-spelling matches. Open the reader for dictionary lookups, construction notes and related examples. Occurrence does not establish a particular dictionary sense.
Read this spelling in Classical texts
Follow a written form into the eight pinned witnesses: Analects, Mencius, Laozi, Zhuangzi, Xunzi, Han Feizi, Sunzi and the Mao Shijing. A match is a place to investigate; it does not prove that a modern dictionary sense fits the passage.
Compare dictionary sources Rime · Wiktionary
Rime Cantonese 粵拼
zek3 · zi2
Cantonese word readings for 只. This lexicon supplies readings, not definitions.
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Wiktionary English definitions · Chinese section
Independent source senses for this spelling, with usage labels retained. Not matched to the pronunciation above.
character · Etymology 1
- only; just; simply; merely
- (obsolete on its own in Standard Chinese) originally; at first
character · Etymology 2
- (literary or Min) this
character · Etymology 3
- (obsolete on its own in Standard Chinese) A modal particle.
character · Etymology 4
- (obsolete on its own in Standard Chinese) to do
character · Etymology 5
- (obsolete on its own in Standard Chinese) Progressive particle, akin to 著／着 (zhe).
character · Etymology 6
- a surname
character · Etymology 7
- Classifier for hands and objects worn on/around hand.
- Classifier for one of a pair.
- Classifier for boats and certain vessels.
Source page · dump 2026-09-02 · Contributors & history
Wiktionary contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source & license · Data pack