m.
Measure word for a single bird or one of a pair. Counts animals, birds, and one of paired items like shoes or hands.
只
adv.
Restriction or limitation to a single thing, amount, or case. Only, merely, just; the all-purpose adverb meaning "nothing more than."
Common Usage & Traps
- 一只猫 — one cat
- 两只鸟 — two birds
- 一只手 — one hand (one of a pair)
- 只有 — only have; there is only (different 只, read zhǐ)
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一只书一本书只 counts animals and single halves of a pair, never books or paper.
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一只人一个人只 never counts people, no matter how much English 'one' feels universal.
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二只猫两只猫Before a counting word you say 两, not 二. 二 only shows up in counting and phone numbers.
Why does a cat take 只 and not 个?
Animals and half-of-a-pair body items take 只, people and books do not.
Chinese counts nouns with a counting word, and every noun has its favorite one. 猫, 狗, 鸟, 手 and 鞋 all take 只. People take 个, and flat stuff like books takes 本. So 一个猫 is understandable but sounds instantly wrong to a native ear. Learners default to 个 because it feels safe, then get corrected by taxi drivers.
| Dimension | Natural | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| One cat | 一只猫 | 一个猫 |
| One person | 一个人 | 一只人 |
| One hand / one shoe | 一只手 / 一只鞋 | 一个手 |
| One book | 一本书 | 一只书 |
Is 只 in 一只猫 the same word as 只 in 只有一只猫?
No. 只 is two words: zhī counts animals, zhǐ means only.
Read zhī, it is the counting word for animals, as in 一只猫. Read zhǐ, it means only and sits right in front of the verb, as in 我只喝茶. In 只有一只猫 the two sit side by side: there is only one cat. First 只 means only, second 只 counts the cat. Same character, different tone, different job.
| Dimension | Natural | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Counting a cat (zhī) | 一只猫 | 只猫 |
| Meaning only, before a verb (zhǐ) | 我只喝茶 | 我喝只茶 |
| Both in one sentence | 只有一只猫 | 只一只猫 |
Appears in Stories 6 stories
Real context sentences across different daily scenarios and graded readings.
This humorous dialogue follows a man who spends all his savings on his girlfriend's Apple phone and a lucky number, leaving him broke. A fun read for HSK 3 learners.
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打一次要一百多，现在我 只 在马路上慢跑了。
Why would a millionaire leave a table of lobster and wagyu untouched? This story explores the hidden rules of business dining and the true cost of staying alert.
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整桌的龙虾、和牛，他一点儿没有碰，全程 只 动了三次筷子：一筷子鱼，一根青菜，半碗汤。
Is four years to reach HSK 5 fast or slow? Follow a conversation between two learners as they compare study hours and share realistic strategies for busy adults.
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B：我们说话的时候， 只 说“汉语”就可以了，就是说“中文老师、汉语老师”都可以。
Discover how a simple letter from a cookie seller led to an unexpected friendship with a famous scholar. This heartwarming story explores kindness and connection across social divides.
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““我还可以说，我们这个地方，有一个卖饼干的，每天在街上叫卖饼干，但他还愿意关心国家大事，关心英美的政治制度，希望国家能走上正确的道路── 只 这件奇事，已够使我乐观，使我高兴了。
A young man helps an old man look for his cat. But the real surprise is why the old man wanted to find the cat. Read on to learn about kindness and friendship.
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一天，白天明在学校大门口前边看见有人写了找猫的话：“我想找一 只 大白猫。
This playful poem helps you count and practice vocabulary about clothes, students, and pets. Enjoy the rhythm while learning new words.
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买了五 只 小猫，七百零五块钱。
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卖了六 只 小狗，四百零九元钱。
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