Definitions

1. Adverb phrase:
   • Only, merely, just: Used to indicate limitation, exclusivity, or a small quantity. It emphasizes that nothing else or no one else is involved or exists beyond what is stated.
   • There is/are only...: Used to state the sole existence or presence of something, often highlighting scarcity or a specific condition.

Usage Examples

• As an adverb phrase:
  • Chỉ có tôi biết mật khẩu. (Only I know the password.)
  • Trong túi chỉ có năm nghìn đồng. (There is only five thousand dong in the bag.)
  • Anh ấy chỉ có một ước mơ. (He has just one dream.)

Advanced Usage

• "Chỉ có... mới...": This structure means "Only... can..." or "It is only... that...". It is used for strong emphasis on exclusivity or a necessary condition.
  • Chỉ có cố gắng mới đem lại thành công. (Only effort can bring success.)
• "Chỉ có thế thôi": A common spoken phrase meaning "That's all there is to it" or "Just that and nothing more," often used to conclude a simple explanation.
  • Công thức rất dễ, chỉ có thế thôi. (The recipe is very easy, that's all there is to it.)

Variants and Related Words

• Chỉ (adv): Only, just. Used more broadly as an adverb to limit the scope of a verb or adjective.
  • Tôi chỉ ăn một chút. (I only ate a little.)
• Duy nhất (adj): Unique, sole, only one. An adjective emphasizing singularity.
  • Đây là bản duy nhất. (This is the only copy.)

Synonyms

• Độc nhất: Sole, only one (more formal/literary).
• Mỗi: Each, but can imply "only" in contexts like "mỗi một" (each one/only one).

Related Phrases

• Chỉ có vậy: Similar to "chỉ có thế thôi," meaning "just that much" or "that's it."
  • Anh hỏi tất cả chỉ có vậy sao? (Is that all you're asking?)
• Chỉ có điều: A conjunctive phrase meaning "however," "the only thing is," or "it's just that," used to introduce a slight contrast or exception.
  • Tôi muốn đi, chỉ có điều tôi bận. (I want to go, it's just that I'm busy.)

Related Idioms

• Chỉ có nước...: A colloquial idiom meaning "The only option/choice is to...". It expresses a forced or inevitable action.
  • Xe hỏng, chúng tôi chỉ có nước đi bộ. (The car broke down, our only choice was to walk.)
• Chỉ có trời biết: An idiom meaning "Only heaven/God knows," used to express that something is unknown or uncertain.
  • Chuyện gì sẽ xảy ra, chỉ có trời biết. (What will happen, only God knows.)