只求

zhǐqiú
verb #33,057

Meanings

  1. 1 only ask for
  2. 2 merely seek
  3. 3 to want nothing more than

Examples

HSK 2
Wǒ zhǐqiú nǐmen néng píng'ān huílái.
I only ask that you all come back safe.
HSK 4
Tā zhè yīshēng zhǐqiú xīn'ān.
All he wants in this life is a clear conscience.

Tips

usage
A common emotional construction: "all I'm asking for is X." Often paired with a modest object - peace, safety, a clear conscience - to emphasize humility or sincerity. The famous chengyu pair 但求无过不求有功 ("only seek to avoid mistakes, not to gain merit") uses in the same sense; 只求 is the colloquial form of that mindset.

Stroke Order

zhǐ
qiú