只身

zhīshēn
adverb #23,862

Meanings

  1. 1 alone
  2. 2 single-handedly
  3. 3 by oneself (without companions)

Examples

Tā zhīshēn yī rén lái dào yìxiāng.
He came to a strange land alone.
Tā zhīshēn chuǎng rù hǔxué, jiùchū le rénzhì.
She single-handedly broke into the lion's den and rescued the hostage.

Tips

register
只身 is a slightly literary or formal adverb. It emphasises the solitude or bravery of acting alone, often in a challenging situation. Compare with 独自 (alone, more neutral and everyday) or 一个 (by oneself, most casual).

Stroke Order

zhǐ
shēn