zi2 seoi1只需
Jyutpingzi2 seoi1
Yalejí sēui
Definition
Only need to; only required to.
colloquialdaily actionsother
How it's used
Focuses on the minimal requirement to achieve a specific outcome, often highlighting how easy or cheap a task is. It is frequently paired with 就可以 or 就得 to emphasize the simplicity of the solution. While it functions as a verb, it acts more like a modal adverbial phrase in practice.
Examples
You only need to fill out this form and that will be fine.
It only takes ten minutes to get there by car, it is very convenient.
Related words
Common phrases
only takes a few minutes
only costs a little bit of money
Common mistake
Avoid using it as a direct translation for only in contexts of quantity, such as only having one apple, where 淨係 or 得 should be used instead.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
