AdverbsHSK 4

Expressing "only" or "merely" with 仅

仅 is a formal adverb meaning 'only' or 'merely,' used in written Chinese to emphasize a limit or small amount.

It typically appears before a verb, noun, or quantity to indicate that nothing more is involved.

Structure

仅 + Verb / Noun / Quantity

Emphasizes that the action or amount is limited to what is stated.

仅 + Numeral + Measure word + Noun

Common in written or formal contexts to restrict scope.

这本书仅需十元。
Zhè běn shū jǐn xū shí yuán.
This book costs only ten yuan.
他仅会说汉语，不会英语。
Tā jǐn huì shuō hàn yǔ, bú huì yīng yǔ.
He can only speak Chinese; he doesn't know English.
教室仅有三名学生。
Jiào shì jǐn yǒu sān míng xué shēng.
There are only three students in the classroom.
这仅是我的个人意见。
Zhè jǐn shì wǒ de gè rén yì jiàn.
This is merely my personal opinion.
我们仅有两天时间完成任务。
Wǒ men jǐn yǒu liǎng tiān shí jiān wán chéng rèn wu.
We have only two days to finish the task.