光 · 仅 · 仅仅 · 就 · 至少
only… · at least…
Structure
光／仅／仅仅／就 + 动词／数量 · 至少 + 数量／动词
What it means
光, 仅, 仅仅 and 就 all mean “only”: they limit an action or an amount. 至少 means “at least”: the real amount may be more.
How it is built
Put the word right before the verb or number it limits: 他光吃菜，不吃米饭 (he only eats the dishes, not the rice). Likewise 就四件事 (just four things), 至少三页 (at least three pages).
When to use it
光 and 就 are spoken; 仅 and 仅仅 sound formal and are common in writing and news: 会议仅仅开了二十分钟. 光 often comes with a contrast: 光吃菜，不吃米饭; 光靠我自己 (relying on me alone).
Watch out
These words go in front of what they limit, never after it: ✗ 三页至少 ✓ 至少三页. ✗ 他吃菜光 ✓ 他光吃菜.
Examples
他光吃菜，不吃米饭。
He only eats the dishes, not the rice.
早饭他就喝了一杯咖啡。
For breakfast he only had a cup of coffee.
这次会议仅仅开了二十分钟。
This meeting lasted only twenty minutes.
这份报告至少要写三页。
This report has to be at least three pages long.
Learn this in HSK 3 · Lesson 4: 开会 (The weekly meeting)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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