📗 Beginner — frequent in early HSK exams
Meaning
Classifier for small animals, birds, and one of a pair. Also used for some objects.
🏮 Cultural Story
中文 Chinese
学中文最先学会的动物量词之一。"一只猫"、"两只鸟"、"一只手"——手不是动物？没错，"只"也用于身体部位（成对中的一个）。经典笑话："你的耳朵？""一只在听你说话，另一只在想事情。"另外"只有"(only)的"只"读zhǐ(三声)，初学者常混淆两个"只"！
English
**只 (zhī)** — first animal classifier learned. Cats, birds... and body parts (one of a pair)! Classic joke about ears. Also "只有" (only) uses 只 but pronounced zhǐ (3rd tone) — beginners confuse these two 只s!
💡 Memory Tip
只 is your go-to for small animals. Think of it as 'one critter'.
Examples
Common Nouns Used With
Video Examples
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YouGlish
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Reverso Context
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Classifier for small animals, birds, and one of a pair. Also used for some objects.