jǐn jǐn
merely
'仅仅' is used in Chinese similar to how 'merely' is used in English. It refers to something being nothing more than what is stated. The usage can often imply that what is being described is not enough or should not be judged by the given descriptor alone.
tā jǐn jǐn shì gè hái zi.
He is just a child.
In this sentence, 仅仅 is used to emphasize the fact that the subject is just a child, possibly suggesting that they are not capable of something.
wǒ jǐn jǐn xiǎng kàn kàn.
I just want to take a look.
Here, 仅仅 is used to emphasize the simplicity and innocence of the action, negating any potential misunderstanding that might be inferred.
zhè gè dá àn jǐn jǐn bù fèn zhèng què.
This answer is only partially correct.
This sentence uses 仅仅 to illustrate that the correctness of the answer is confined to a certain extent only.
jǐn jǐn sān rén tōng guò le cè shì.
Only three people passed the test.
In this context, 仅仅 is used to articulate the scarcity of individuals who successfully passed the test.
jǐn jǐn yīn wèi wǒ ài nǐ.
Only because I love you.
In this sentence, 仅仅 is used to emphasize that love is the sole reason behind an action or decision.
tā jǐn jǐn děng le wǔ fēn zhōng.
He only waited for five minutes.
This uses 仅仅 to emphasize the short amount of time the subject waited.
jǐn jǐn yī gè cuò wù jiù néng dǎ bài wǒ men.
Just one mistake can defeat us.
Here, 仅仅 is used to stress that even a single mistake has the power to cause failure.
wǒ jǐn jǐn xū yào yī bēi shuǐ.
I only need a cup of water.
In this example, 仅仅 is used to express that the speaker requires nothing more than a cup of water.
wǒ men jǐn jǐn yōng yǒu zhè yī kè.
We only have this moment.
In this context, 仅仅 is used to underscore that the current moment is all that is guaranteed.
wǒ kě yǐ jǐn jǐn zǒu lù qù nà lǐ.
I can just walk there.
This sentence uses 仅仅 to emphasize that walking is a sufficient means for the speaker to reach the destination.