то́лько
tólʹko
In Russian, the word for only is то́лько (tólʹko). Wiktionary also lists лишь (lišʹ).
Meaning: without others or anything further, exclusively (adv)
Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| то́лько | tólʹko | |
| лишь | lišʹ | [lʲiʂ] (narrow) |
The primary way to express that something is done without others or anything further is through то́лько or лишь. To intensify the sense of exclusivity, you can use the phrase всего лишь or только и. If you wish to convey that someone or something is the exclusive one in a category, use the adjective еди́нственный. Note that while только is the standard word for only, it can also function as a conjunction meaning but in certain contexts, whereas лишь cannot.
Which one should you use?
лишь is a more literary or poetic synonym. Additionally, только can serve a second purpose as a conjunction meaning but, a function that лишь does not have.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
tólʹko
Did you know?
- The word лишь evolved from the comparative form of an old word meaning 'bad'.
- In spoken Russian, the word то́лько is frequently used as a conversational filler to soften a request or a correction, similar to how an English speaker might use 'just'.
- In some contexts, то́лько can be used to express 'just now' regarding time, meaning something happened a very short moment ago.
Examples in context
- Это был лишь сон.It was only a dream.This sentence uses лишь to translate 'only'.Tatoeba #1793201 by Balamax, translation #1789224 by Spamster
- Это всего лишь я.It's only me.Tatoeba #4894587 by marafon, translation #3363728 by CK
- Ей всего лишь 20.She's only 20.Tatoeba #9019877 by Selena777, translation #9012036 by Ricardo14
- У меня есть только одна ручкаI have only one pen
- Я могу находиться здесь лишь недолгоI can only stay for a short time
- У меня есть только пять долларовI only have five dollars
- Он ушёл только чтоHe left only a moment ago
- Это всего лишь 10 долларовIt's only $10
- Он мой единственный другHe is my only friend
- Только она знает правдуOnly she knows the truth
- 403 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Anastasia and Andrey are deciding what to order at a cafe.
- Анастасия AnastasiaЧто ты хочешь заказать, Андрей?Chto ty khochesh' zakazat', Andrey?What do you want to order, Andrey?
- Андрей AndreyЯ то́лько чай возьму.Ya tol'ko chay voz'mu.I will only take tea.
- Анастасия AnastasiaА десерт?A desert?And dessert?
- Андрей AndreyНет, я то́лько за чаем.Net, ya tol'ko za chayem.No, I am only here for the tea.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “only” translations and entries лишь, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries лишь, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
