chỉ
[t͡ɕi˧˩]
The English phrase 'just' is translated into Vietnamese as chỉ.
The adverb chỉ is used to indicate limitation, similar to the English word 'only'. It is placed immediately before the verb or noun it modifies.
Which one should you use?
While chỉ means 'just' in the sense of 'only', the word mới is used to express 'just' in the sense of 'recently', such as when saying 'I just arrived'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word chỉ is frequently paired with the particle thôi at the end of a sentence to emphasize the sense of 'just' or 'only'.
Did you know?
- The word chỉ can refer to a 'mace' weapon. This usage was likely borrowed from a trading language like Malay or Teochew and is a doublet of the word tiền.
Examples in context
- Tôi chỉ đùa thôi.I'm just kidding.This sentence is useful for seeing how to say 'I'm just kidding' using chỉ.Tatoeba #13173476 by leucammieuvu, translation #398513 by CM
- Chỉ một lát thôi.Just a moment.This sentence is useful for seeing how to say 'Just a moment' using chỉ.Tatoeba #13599291 by leucammieuvu, translation #6176233 by sundown
- Chỉ cần xin lỗi thôi.Just apologize.This sentence is useful for seeing how to say 'Just apologize' using chỉ.Tatoeba #13510799 by leucammieuvu, translation #3826570 by CK
- Tôi chỉ đi làmI only go to work
- Anh ấy mới chỉ học hai ngàyHe just studied for two days
- Chút nữa là xongJust a little more and it will be done
- Tôi chỉ muốn nóiI just want to say
- Anh ta chỉ gặp tôi một lầnHe just met me once
- Mỗi một ngày, tôi chỉ uống một ly cà phêEvery day, I just drink one cup of coffee
- 85 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Minh and Lan are talking about what they want to eat.
- MinhLan muốn ăn gì cho bữa tối?What do you want to eat for dinner, Lan?
- LanEm chỉ muốn ăn một bát phở thôi.I just want to eat a bowl of pho.
- MinhVậy mình đi ăn phở nhé.Then let's go eat pho.
- LanVâng, em chỉ thích quán gần đây thôi.Yes, I just like the shop near here.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry chỉ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries chỉ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
