B2 adverb Formal 1 min read

惟独

wéidú /wéi dú/
Practice it

“惟独” is a formal adverb used to strongly emphasize that something is unique or an exception.

Word in 30 Seconds

  • Emphasizes exclusivity, meaning "only" or "alone."
  • Often highlights an exception or unique case among others.
  • More formal and emphatic than "只有" (zhǐyǒu).

概述 (Overview)

“惟独”是一个语气较强、偏向书面语的副词，其核心意义是强调排他性和唯一性，即“只有这一个，没有其他”。它常用于引出一个例外情况，或者突出某个主体或动作的独特性。与“只有”相比，“惟独”的强调意味更浓，更侧重于与其他事物的对比，表明“其他都不是，只有这个是”。在句子中，它通常修饰动词、动词短语或整个谓语部分，有时也可以放在句首强调主语。

用法模式 (Usage Patterns)

  • 惟独 + 主语 + 谓语：这种结构强调主语是唯一的例外或行动者。例如：“惟独他没有参加会议。”（只有他没有参加，其他人参加了。）
  • 主语 + 惟独 + 谓语：这种结构强调主语所做的动作或状态是独特的、排他的。例如：“他惟独对这件事持不同意见。”（他对其他事可能都同意，但唯独这件事不同意。）
  • 惟独 + 介词短语：强调唯一的对象或范围。例如：“惟独对你，我才说实话。”

“惟独”常用于表达一种对比，即在众多可能性或普遍情况中，有一个是独特的或例外的。它能使句子更具表现力和强调性。

常见语境 (Common Contexts)

  • 强调例外情况：当描述一个普遍现象或规则，但其中存在一个或少数几个与众不同的情况时，使用“惟独”可以清晰地突出这些例外。例如：“所有人都成功了，惟独他失败了。”
  • 表达强烈情感：在表达不满、惊讶、赞美或遗憾等强烈情感时，“惟独”可以增强语气，使表达更具冲击力。例如：“全世界都理解我，惟独你不理解。”
  • 在比较句中突出唯一性：当需要从多个选项或可能性中选出唯一一个具有某种特性的事物时。例如：“在众多解决方案中，惟独这个方法最为有效。”
  • 文学作品或正式语境：由于其书面语色彩，“惟独”在文学作品、正式报告、演讲稿或新闻评论中较为常见，能够提升表达的庄重感和严谨性。

相似词比较 (Similar Words comparison)

  • 只有 (zhǐyǒu)：这是最常用、最口语化的“only”，用途广泛，可以强调条件（“只有…才…”）或单纯的唯一性。它比“惟独”更中性，强调程度较低。
  • 仅仅 (jǐnjǐn)：强调数量少、范围小，常带有“不够”或“不多”的意味，有时暗示不满足预期。例如：“我仅仅睡了三个小时。”（强调时间短）
  • 唯有 (wéiyǒu)：与“惟独”非常接近，都具有较强的书面语色彩和强调唯一性的作用。在很多情况下可以互换，但“唯有”更常用于强调唯一的途径、方法或条件，有时带有“别无选择”的意味。例如：“唯有努力，才能成功。”
  • 惟独：相比“只有”，“惟独”更强调排他性和例外性，语气更强烈，更侧重于“在所有其他中，只有这一个不同”。它常用于突出强烈的对比或不寻常的唯一性。

Examples

1

所有人都在忙碌，惟独他一个人坐在角落里发呆。

everyday

Everyone was busy, only he sat alone in the corner daydreaming.

2

所有的努力都付诸东流，惟独这份坚持最终带来了成功。

formal

All efforts came to naught, only this persistence ultimately brought success.

3

大家都可以出去玩，惟独你不行，因为你作业还没写完。

informal

Everyone else can go out and play, only you can't, because you haven't finished your homework.

4

在众多影响因素中，惟独经济结构转型对区域发展起到了决定性作用。

academic

Among numerous influencing factors, only the transformation of economic structure played a decisive role in regional development.

Common Collocations

惟独他 only him/he
惟独如此 only thus/only like this
惟独例外 the only exception

Common Phrases

惟独他

only him

惟独如此

only in this way

惟独例外

the sole exception

Often Confused With

惟独 vs 只有 (zhǐyǒu)

"只有" is more commonly used in both spoken and written Chinese and can indicate a condition ("only if") or simply "only." "惟独" is more formal and strongly emphasizes an exclusive exception, often implying a contrast with "all others."

惟独 vs 仅仅 (jǐnjǐn)

"仅仅" emphasizes a small quantity or limited scope, often with a sense of "just" or "merely" and sometimes implies insufficiency. "惟独" focuses purely on exclusivity and uniqueness, not necessarily on quantity or degree.

Grammar Patterns

惟独 + [主语] + [谓语] (强调主语的唯一性) [主语] + 惟独 + [谓语] (强调谓语动作的唯一性或排他性) 惟独 + [介词短语] (强调范围或对象的唯一性)

How to Use It

Usage Notes

“惟独” carries a more formal and literary tone compared to its common counterpart “只有”. It is often used in written contexts, speeches, or when a speaker wants to add emphasis and solemnity to the idea of exclusivity. While understandable in spoken language, its frequent use in casual conversation might sound overly formal or even slightly archaic. It effectively highlights an exception or a unique instance among a group.

Common Mistakes

A common mistake is overusing “惟独” in casual settings where “只有” would be more natural and less formal. Another error is confusing its emphasis on exclusivity with “仅仅” (merely), which focuses more on quantity or degree. Incorrectly placing it in a sentence can also alter the intended emphasis; its position often dictates what is being exclusively highlighted. Users might also fail to recognize its slightly stronger, more contrastive nuance compared to “只有”.

Tips

💡

Emphasizing Uniqueness

Use "惟独" when you want to strongly highlight an exception or the sole presence of something or someone. It adds a more formal and emphatic tone than "只有".

⚠️

Formal vs. Informal Usage

While "惟独" means "only," avoid using it in casual, everyday conversations where "只有" or "仅仅" would be more natural. Its formality can sound out of place.

🌍

Literary Connotation

"惟独" often appears in classical Chinese and modern literature, lending a poetic or profound touch to the expression of exclusivity or singularity.

Word Origin

"惟独" is composed of "惟" (wéi), meaning "only" or "just," and "独" (dú), meaning "alone" or "single." Both characters individually convey exclusivity, and their combination reinforces this meaning, creating a strong emphasis on uniqueness. Its roots are in classical Chinese, contributing to its formal and literary feel.

Cultural Context

In Chinese culture, the concept of "uniqueness" or "exclusivity" can carry significant weight, particularly in emphasizing a singular achievement, talent, or responsibility. "惟独" is often employed in literature or philosophical discussions to highlight a lone truth, an exceptional individual, or a unique path, reflecting a value placed on distinctiveness. It can also convey a sense of regret or disappointment when someone is the sole exception to a positive outcome.

Memory Tip

Imagine "惟独" as "Wei Du," the exclusive detective who *only* takes unique cases. He *alone* solves the mysteries no one else can, emphasizing his singular ability.

Frequently Asked Questions

4 questions

“惟独”比“只有”语气更重，更强调排他性和例外性，常用于书面语或正式语境，表达“所有其他都不是，只有这一个”的意味。而“只有”更常用，更口语化，可以表示条件或单纯的唯一性。

可以。“惟独”可以放在句首，用于强调其后的人或事是唯一的例外或主体。例如：“惟独他没有来。” 这种用法能更突出强调的对象。

“惟独”本身不带否定意义，它强调的是肯定意义上的“唯一”。如果需要表达否定，通常会说“不是惟独A，而是B”或者“除了A，都……”来表达非唯一性或普遍性。

当你希望突出一个独特的、与众不同的情况，或者强调某个例外时，使用“惟独”非常合适。例如在文学作品、正式报告或表达强烈情感时，它能使你的表达更具力量和深度。

Test Yourself

fill blank

大家都同意这个计划，___他提出了反对意见。

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 惟独

这里强调的是“他”是唯一的例外，提出了反对意见，用“惟独”语气更强烈，更符合语境中突出“例外”的意味。

multiple choice

在所有学生中，<u>惟独</u>小明考了满分。

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 只有

“惟独”在此句中表示“只有、仅仅”，强调小明是唯一的例外，所以“只有”是意思最接近的选项。

sentence building

没有 / 惟独 / 改变 / 他的 / 决心 / 任何事

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 没有任何事惟独改变他的决心。

这句话强调的是“没有任何事”都没有改变他的决心，但其中“惟独”可以强调“没有改变”这个结果的独特性，或与普遍情况的对比。

Score: /3

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