chỉ có
Definitions
- 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.)