Definition
光是 is an adverbial fixed-phrase meaning 'just', 'only', or 'alone'. It emphasizes that the scope is limited to one thing, often paired with 就 in the following clause to highlight the magnitude or condition ('just X alone already Y'). It is common in spoken and written Chinese at an advanced level.
cons.
(adverbial phrase) justonlymerelyalone (used to single out one aspect, often followed by 就 in the main clause)
Examples
- 光是，。guāng shì xuéxí hànyǔ, jiù yào huā hěnduō shíjiān.Just studying Chinese alone already takes a lot of time.
- 光是，。guāng shì zhège yuè, wǒmen jiù yǐjīng wánchéng le sān gè xiàngmù.Just in this month alone, we have already completed three projects.
- 光是。Tā guāng shì kànshū jiù kàn le wǔ gè xiǎoshí.He just by reading alone spent five hours.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.