HSK 5 · VERSION 2.0#43
Expressing “That’s All” with “éryǐ”
而已
How it works
而已 (éryǐ) means “that’s all,” “nothing more than that,” or “simply.” It is used to downplay something, showing that it is not as serious, important, or special as someone may think.
The pattern
Clause / Phrase + 而已 (éryǐ)
Example sentences
这不过是个小误会而已,没必要把事情弄得这么复杂。
This is only a small misunderstanding, and there is no need to make the matter so complicated.
他只是有点儿累了而已,休息一下就好了。
He is only a little tired, that’s all. He will be fine after some rest.
这对他来说不过是工作的一部分而已,你不用想得太严重。
For him, this is only part of the job, nothing more. You do not need to take it too seriously.
Key point
而已 (éryǐ) often makes the tone lighter by reducing the importance of something.