只用 (zhǐ yòng) — only use; to use only

Definition

只用 means 'to only use' — restricts use to a single tool, method, or amount. Pairs with 量 (只用十分钟) and specific items (只用这个办法).

verb

only useto use only

只用。
Wǒ zhǐ yòng zhè ge gōng jù.
I only use this tool.
只用。
Tā zhǐ yòng le shí fēn zhōng jiù wán chéng le.
He only used ten minutes to finish.
只用。
Wǒ men zhǐ yòng zhè ge bàn fǎ.
We only use this method.

Characters in this word

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

只 shows air coming out of a mouth, for a word used in speech.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

用 was formed by adding a handle to an earlier form.