Introduction to Literary Chinese - Lesson 6, Text 3
Adapted from the 1927 book by J. Brandt
Grammatical section.
D. 低等 Limiting particles.
The limiting particles imply to a quality, a state or an action a character of exclusiveness, and correspond very nearly to the expressions: “only”, solely”, “exclusively” etc.
These particles are:
僅 但 第 惟 只 徒
Examples of using the limiting particles:
① 僅及一年
A year has barely elapsed.
② 僅幸得免
I have only luckily escaped.
③ 僅足自給
Barely enough to support oneself.
④ 但願如此
I only wish it to be so.
⑤ 但求塞責
Seeking only to evade responsibility.
⑥ 但託空言
Only to make excuses.
⑦ 不第如此
It is not only thus.
⑧ 人皆好之。第余則否。
All like him, only I do not.
⑨ 第不知耳
Only do not know.
⑩ 惟當如此
It must only be thus.
⑪ 豈惟一人
How is it only one person?
⑫ 惟汝是問
You alone are responsible.
⑬ 惟利是視
To care solely for profit.
⑭ 只顧自己
To care only for oneself.
⑮ 只死而已
Death is the only alternative (lit. only to die and that is all).
⑯ 只此而已
Only this and nothing more.
⑰ 只怕此貨仍無銷塲
Only I fear that these goods will still have no market.
⑱ 徒悲無益
Mere weeping is of no awail.
⑲ 徒善不足以爲政
Kindness alone is not a sufficient (qualification) for government (lit. for making government).