HSK 7-9 Fixed Formulas

Fixed Formulas - Just So Much, Only, Just, That's All

— 无非、不过、只是……罢了、而已

Understand the use of 无非 / 不过 / 只是……罢了 / 而已 and their placement in the sentence.

Elements

无非不过只是……罢了而已

How to use it

  • Copy a model sentence (这只是一点小问题。) and replace the subject/object/time while keeping the same structure.
  • Context: Use this structure to describe facts or actions in a complete sentence.

Examples

这只是一点小问题。

zhè zhǐ shì yī diǎn xiǎo wèntí.

It's only a small problem.

我只是路过。

wǒ zhǐshì lùguò.

I was just passing by.

Notes and exceptions

  • 过 — Past experience: Indicates that the action has already happened at least once.
  • Often incompatible with a precise duration related to the event that is a single occurrence.

Common mistakes

  • Check the order of elements before speaking or writing.
  • Use a complete sentence to validate the structure in a real context.

Practice quiz

Choose the best option for each sentence, then submit to view the correction.

1. 这____一点小问题。

(It's only a small problem.)

2. 我____路过。

(I was just passing by.)

3. Quel élément complète le mieux cette règle ?

(Copy a model sentence (**这只是一点小问题。**) and replace the subject/object/time while keeping the same structure.)

4. Quel élément complète le mieux cette règle ?

(Context: Use this structure to describe facts or actions in a complete sentence.)