1. and no one or nothing more; solely
僅，只，唯獨
I only wanted to help.
我只是想幫忙。
She eats only vegetables.
她只吃蔬菜。
This ticket is for today only.
這張票僅限今日使用。
Only Meaning（定義、用法、例句與發音）
only
adverb
快速理解
What does "Only" mean?What are 2-3 core uses of "Only"?
「only」主要表示限制、唯一性，或強調數量少、程度低。
- 1
僅限於
EN: Used to indicate restriction or limitation.
翻譯: 表示限制或限定範圍。
- 2
唯一的
EN: Used to indicate that something is the single one or sole instance.
翻譯: 表示某事物是唯一的一個或單獨的實例。
- 3
僅僅
EN: Used to emphasize a small amount, number, or degree.
翻譯: 用於強調數量少、程度低或時間短。
- 4
不料
EN: Used to introduce a contrasting or unexpected outcome (often with 'to' + infinitive).
翻譯: 用於引導一個對比或出乎意料的結果（常與 'to' + 不定詞連用）。
小提醒：注意「only」在句中的位置會影響句意。例如「Only I love you.」和「I only love you.」意思不同。
發音（How to Pronounce "Only" in English）
How to pronounce "Only" in English?"Only" US vs UK pronunciation
點擊下方的 US / UK 按鈕可播放發音。
Real-life Examples of "Only" from YouTube Videos
South Korea would accept Trump-Kim deal to freeze North Korea’s nuclear programme | BBC News
BBC News
“So we were asking: look, if Trump and Kim sit down and they were to agree a deal that didn't see North Korea denuclearize it, only North Korea freeze its nuclear program, could you accept that?”
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Definitions（定義）
What are the definitions of "Only"?How does "Only" change by context?
2. no longer ago than; as recently as
僅僅在…之前；剛剛
I saw him only yesterday.
我昨天才剛見到他。
She arrived only a minute ago.
她僅僅一分鐘前才到。
3. with the negative or unfortunate result that
結果卻；不料
He tried to fix it, only to make it worse.
他試圖修理它，結果卻弄得更糟。
I called her, only to find she was out.
我打電話給她，不料發現她出去了。
4. single or solitary in its or their kind
唯一的；僅有的
He is the only child in the family.
他是家裡唯一的孩子。
This is the only copy left.
這是僅存的一份副本。
5. except that; but
只不過；但是
I'd love to come, only I have to work.
我很想來，只不過我得工作。
The food was good, only there wasn't enough of it.
食物很好，但是分量不夠。
Grammar & Patterns（句型）
What are common sentence patterns for "Only"?How to make natural sentences with "Only"?
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| only + verb | 僅僅，只 | He only smiled and said nothing. (他只是笑了笑，什麼也沒說。) |
| only + noun | 唯一的，僅有的 | This is the only copy we have. (這是我們僅有的一份副本。) |
| only + adjective/adverb | 僅僅，只（修飾形容詞或副詞） | The room is only slightly larger. (這個房間只是稍微大一點。) |
| only + prepositional phrase | 僅僅在…，只在… | You can find it only in specialty stores. (你只能在專賣店找到它。) |
| only + to + verb (expressing an unexpected result) | 結果卻…，不料竟… | He rushed to the station, only to find the train had left. (他衝到車站，結果卻發現火車已經開走了。) |
| only if / only when | 只有在…的時候，唯有… | I will go only if you come with me. (只有你跟我一起去，我才會去。) |
| not only … but (also) … | 不僅…而且… | She is not only intelligent but also very kind. (她不僅聰明，而且非常善良。) |
用法說明
How is "Only" different from similar structures?What usage mistakes are common with "Only"?
only doing vs only to do
- "only doing" 通常描述一個既成事實或持續的狀態，強調「僅僅在做某事」這個動作本身。
- "only to do" 常帶有「結果卻...」的意外或失望語氣，用於描述一個隨後發生的、且常是出乎意料的結果。
- 在表示目的或意圖時，"only to do" 也可以表示「僅僅是為了做某事」，但語氣較正式。 EN: He called her, only to find out she had already left the country. 翻譯: 他打電話給她，結果卻發現她已經離開這個國家了。
EN:She sat there, only staring at the blank screen, unable to write a single word.
翻譯:她坐在那裡，只是盯著空白的螢幕，一個字也寫不出來。
總結建議
一般來說，描述一個單純的限定動作用 "only doing"，而表達一個令人意外的後續結果則用 "only to do"。
易混淆對比
What is the difference between "Only" and similar words?How to choose "Only" vs alternatives?
only vs just
「only」強調排他性與唯一性；「just」則常強調時間上的「剛剛」或數量上的「僅僅」，語氣較為隨意。
only vs solely
「only」用法廣泛；「solely」更正式，專指「完全地、單獨地」，常用於法律或正式文件。
only vs merely
「only」為中性；「merely」帶有輕視或「不過是」的貶義，暗示不足或微不足道。
口語用法
How is "Only" used in spoken English?What is the spoken vs formal difference for "Only"?
引述
在口語中，常用 "only" 來引述或轉述別人的話，帶有「只是說說而已」或「沒別的意思」的語氣。 EN: He was only joking when he said that. 翻譯: 他那樣說只是在開玩笑啦。
EN:I was only suggesting we leave earlier, that's all.
翻譯:我只是建議我們早點走，就這樣而已。
語氣強調
在非正式對話裡，"only" 常放在句尾或特定位置，用來強調「僅僅如此」或「沒什麼大不了」的感覺，有時帶有辯解或緩和語氣的意味。 EN: It's five dollars, only. 翻譯: 才五塊錢而已。
EN:I was trying to help, only.
翻譯:我只是想幫忙嘛。
停頓填充
在思考或組織句子時，有時會用 "only" 作為一個短暫的停頓填充詞，類似「只是呢」、「不過啊」的過渡功能。 EN: I wanted to go, only... I didn't have the time. 翻譯: 我本來想去，只是呢…我沒時間。
EN:The movie was good, only, the ending felt a bit rushed.
翻譯:電影不錯，不過啊，結尾感覺有點倉促。
正式寫作注意：上述口語用法（尤其是句尾的 "only" 或作為停頓填充詞）在正式書面英文（如學術論文、商業報告）中應避免使用，請改用更標準的結構，如 "merely", "just", "however" 或重新組織句子。
常見短語
What common collocations use "Only"?What fixed phrases with "Only" should I remember?
only if
only if + condition
只有在…條件下
not only... but also
not only + phrase/clause, but also + phrase/clause
不僅…而且…
only just
only just + verb
剛剛才；勉強
if only
if only + clause (often expressing a wish)
要是…就好了
only too
only too + adjective/adverb
非常；極其
only child
noun phrase
獨生子女
only time will tell
fixed expression
只有時間能證明
常見錯誤
What are common mistakes with "Only"?Which "Only" sentences look correct but are wrong?
×I only have two dollars.
✓I have only two dollars.
在正式書寫中，'only' 應緊接在它所修飾的詞語之前。口語中位置較靈活，但書寫時應注意準確性。這裡 'only' 修飾的是 'two dollars'，而非動詞 'have'。
×I'll go only if it doesn't rain.
✓I'll go unless it rains.
'only if' 表示『只有在...條件下才...』，語氣較強且正式。'unless' 表示『除非...否則就...』，是更常見、更自然的表達方式，意思與『only if it doesn't...』相同但更簡潔。
×Not only she is smart, but also she is kind.
✓Not only is she smart, but she is also kind.
當 'Not only' 置於句首時，其後的主詞和動詞必須倒裝（如疑問句語序）。'but also' 中的 'also' 常可省略，或置於動詞之後。
×I rushed home, only finding the door locked.
✓I rushed home, only to find the door locked.
'only to find/see/hear...' 是一個固定句型，表示出乎意料或令人失望的結果，必須使用不定詞 'to find'，而非現在分詞 'finding'。
×She is the only one in the class who she got an A.
✓She is the only one in the class who got an A.
在 'the only one who/that...' 的關係子句中，關係代名詞 (who/that) 就是子句的主詞，因此不應再重複主詞（如 'she'）。
×If only I have more time.
✓If only I had more time.
'If only' 用於表達強烈的願望或遺憾，其後通常使用過去式（表示對現在的願望）或過去完成式（表示對過去的遺憾），類似於第二、三類條件句的動詞形式，而非現在式。
詞形變化
What are the word forms of "Only"?What are tense/participle forms of "Only"?