只有 (zhǐyǒu) · only

只有 (zhǐyǒu) means “only; to have only”. It is written with 2 characters: 只 (only) + 有 (to have). It is an HSK 3 word in the current exam syllabus (2025).

How 只有 is built

The characters

只 zhǐ · only

What 只 is made of

口kǒu — mouth
- 冂 — frame
  - 丨 — vertical stroke
- 一 — horizontal stroke
八bā — eight

Origin hint: Simple words 八 coming from the mouth 口 (from the Make Me a Hanzi dataset; treat as a memory aid where history is uncertain)

有 yǒu · to have

What 有 is made of

月yuè — moon; month
- 冂 — frame
  - 丨 — vertical stroke
- 二 — two strokes
  - 一 — horizontal stroke
  - 一 — horizontal stroke

Example sentences

我只有十块钱。Wǒ zhǐyǒu shí kuài qián.I only have ten yuan.

家里只有我一个人。Jiālǐ zhǐyǒu wǒ yī gè rén.I'm the only one at home.

Questions about 只有

What does 只有 mean?

只有 (zhǐyǒu) means “only; to have only”.

How do you pronounce 只有?

只有 is pronounced zhǐyǒu.

Which HSK level is 只有?

只有 is in HSK 3 (exam 2025) and HSK 3 (2021).

Related words

Learn 只有 with its group

It is part of HSK 3 (2021) · Group 33: a short group with quick checks and spaced repeats.

Open the group