only; alone; merely
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 6 examplesconjunction
only; only if
Indicates a necessary condition for a result; often used with 才 or 才能. Also written as 惟有.
Wéi唯
yǒu有
nǔ努
lì力
，
cái才
néng能
jìn进
bù步
。
Only by working hard can one make progress.
Wéi唯
yǒu有
jiān坚
chí持
，
cái才
néng能
chéng成
gōng功
。
Only by persisting can one succeed.
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Wéi唯
yǒu有
tōng通
guò过
kǎo考
shì试
，
tā他
cái才
néng能
huò获
dé得
zhèng证
shū书
。
Only by passing the exam can he obtain the certificate.
adverb
only; alone; merely
Indicates exclusivity; singles out one person or thing as an exception. Also written as 惟有.
Dà大
jiā家
dōu都
yuàn愿
yì意
，
wéi唯
yǒu有
tā他
bù不
yuàn愿
yì意
。
Everyone is willing; only he is not.
Wéi唯
yǒu有
tā她
zhī知
dào道
zhēn真
xiàng相
。
Only she knows the truth.
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Qí其
tā他
rén人
dōu都
dào到
le了
，
wéi唯
yǒu有
xiǎo小
wáng王
méi没
lái来
。
Everyone else has arrived; only Xiao Wang hasn't come.