Definition
唯 (wéi) is a formal, literary adverb meaning 'only, solely' — it often pairs with 有 (唯有 'only if') or 恐 (唯恐 'for fear that'). Unlike 独 (dú), which can mean 'alone' in a physical sense, 唯 focuses on exclusivity or the sole condition. It is more classical and less colloquial than 唯独 (wéi dú), which adds a contrastive nuance of 'with the sole exception of'.
adverb
onlyalone
Easily confused
- 截jiélook-alike(verb) to cut off; to intercept; to stop
- 为wéisound-alike(preposition) as; in the capacity of
- 推tuīlook-aliketo push
- 为wéisound-aliketo act as, to serve as (in patterns like 以...为..., 称为, 选为)
- 难nánlook-alikedifficult, hard (to do)
- 为wéisound-alike(preposition) as, in the capacity of
- 集jílook-alike(noun) collection, anthology, collected works
- 位wèisound-alike(classifier, polite) for people
- 喂wèisound-alike(interjection) hey! hello? (used to attract attention or answer a phone call)
- 喂wèisound-alike(interjection) hello? (used to answer the phone)
Examples
- ，。Tā wéi kǒng cuòguò zhè cì jīhuì, suǒyǐ tíqián dào le.He only feared missing this opportunity, so he arrived early.
- ，。wéi yǒu bùduàn nǔlì, cáinéng shíxiàn mèngxiǎng.Only by continuous effort can one realize dreams.
- 唯。Tā wéi yuàn jiārén píng'ān.She only wishes for her family's safety.
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