唯独
Traditional: 唯獨
wéi dú HSK 6

English Meaning

📚 Example Sentences

大家都同意了，唯独他反对。
Dàjiā dōu tóngyì le, wéidú tā fǎnduì.
Everyone agreed, only he opposed.
唯独这个问题，我无法回答。
Wéidú zhège wèntí, wǒ wúfǎ huídá.
Only this question, I cannot answer.
唯独他记得我的生日。
Wéidú tā jìde wǒ de shēngrì.
Only he remembered my birthday.
唯独他来了。
Wéidú tā lái le.
Only he came.
唯独这个便宜。
Wéidú zhège piányi.
Only this one is cheap.

💡 Memory Tip

Break it down: 唯 (wéi) means 'only,' and 独 (dú) means 'alone.' Think of it as 'only alone' to remember it emphasizes a solitary exception.

📝 Usage Notes

This word is more formal and literary, commonly used in written Chinese and formal speech. It appears in contexts where listing positives but noting one negative, or describing a general situation with one distinct exception.

📖 Grammar Points

Typically placed before the subject or verb in a clause to introduce the exception. Structure: [General positive statement], 唯独 + [exception]. Example: 大家都同意了，唯独他反对。

🏯 Cultural Notes

In Chinese communication, 唯独 is often used to soften criticism by acknowledging positives before pointing out a flaw, reflecting a preference for indirectness in negative feedback.

🔄 Similar Words

Only (只 zhǐ) is more general and neutral; 唯独 adds emphasis on being the sole exception. 仅仅 (jǐnjǐn) means 'merely' or 'just,' focusing on limitation without the contrastive nuance of 唯独.

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