而已

éryǐ

particle HSK 7-9 #613

Meanings

1 that's all
2 nothing more
3 only

Characters

already; to stop

Examples

我只是开个玩笑而已。

Wǒ zhǐshì kāi ge wánxiào éryǐ.

I was just joking, that's all.

这不过是小事而已。

Zhèbú guò shì xiǎoshì éryǐ.

This is nothing more than a small matter.

Tips

grammar

而已 is placed at the end of a sentence to downplay or minimize what was said. Often paired with 只是, 不过, or 仅仅 for emphasis.

Stroke Order

而 ér

已 yǐ