HSKReadyGet the appHSK 3 · Word classes › Adverbs › Scope adverbs
HSK 3 Adverbs of Scope: 就, 一块儿, 一共, 只, 到处, and 只是
Adverbs of scope (范围副词) define the boundaries of an action, quantity, or group. At Level 3 of the supplied HSK grammar outline, six key items fall into two functional groups: restrictive adverbs that narrow down possibilities (只, 就, 只是) and collective or spatial adverbs that gather participants, totals, or locations (一块儿, 一共, 到处).
我今天只喝了一杯咖啡。
只 sits directly before the verb 喝 to limit the quantity of coffee.
Read the full explanation and examples
What Are Adverbs of Scope?
In Mandarin grammar, adverbs of scope (范围副词) indicate how many people, items, or places are involved in a situation. In the Level 3 grammar syllabus of the 2025 revised HSK outline, this category groups together six essential items: 就 (sense 3, meaning only), 一块儿, 一共, 只, 到处, and 只是. Note that syllabus levels describe the supplied reference outline and do not determine which test version a local exam center currently administers.
To master these six words efficiently, divide them by how they shape information. Three of them restrict scope to something small or exclusive (只, 就, 只是). The other three expand or combine scope across people, numbers, or spaces (一块儿, 一共, 到处). Like most Chinese adverbs, their default home is after the subject and directly before the main verb or predicate.
Restricting Scope: 只, 就, and 只是
When you want to say only or merely, Mandarin offers 只, 就, and 只是. In the syllabus, 就 is marked as sense 3 (就3) to separate this restrictive meaning from its other common uses (such as indicating immediacy or sequence). When placed before a verb, all three limit the action or quantity.
- 只 commonly precedes a predicate, as in 只喝一杯 or 只喜欢这个. That predicate need not be a verb: 只五块钱 is possible in a price context. Some compact or literary uses also put 只 before a noun phrase; use 只有 or 就 when you want an especially clear beginner model.
- 就 can emphasize an exclusive person or small amount, as in 我们班就他会说德语 or 就剩十块钱. Its force depends on context and stress. It is not the only expression that can precede a noun phrase: compare 这只是一个建议, this is merely a suggestion.
- 只是 (zhǐ shì) means merely or simply. It softens the tone of a statement, often explaining someone's intention or downplaying the seriousness of an action.
我今天只喝了一杯咖啡。
只 sits directly before the verb 喝 to limit the quantity of coffee.
我口袋里就剩十块钱了。
就 (sense 3) modifies the verb 剩, emphasizing in spoken style that ten yuan is a very small amount.
我们班就他会说德语。
就 stands directly before the pronoun 他 to restrict the subject scope.
我只是随便问问，你别紧张。
只是 downplays the action to reassure the listener.
Grouping People and Totals: 一块儿 and 一共
While restrictive adverbs narrow things down, 一块儿 and 一共 bring elements together. Learners occasionally confuse them because both relate to combining things, but they operate in completely different contexts.
一块儿 (yíkuàir) means together and is common in northern conversation. The other participant can be stated or understood: in a reply 我也一块儿去, the subject is singular. It can also group objects for one action, as in 我把这两个问题一块儿讲. Do not require a grammatically plural subject in every sentence.
周末我们一块儿去看电影吧。
一块儿 follows the plural subject 我们 and precedes the verb phrase 去看电影.
一共 (yí gòng) means altogether or in total. Instead of focusing on companionship, it sums up numbers, prices, or counted items. The predicate after 一共 almost always contains a specific number-measure phrase or a question word asking for a number (such as 多少). Note that in cash registers or price totals, the verb 是 or 有 is often omitted right before the price.
这三本书一共八十五块钱。
一共 introduces the total price; in Mandarin, a number-measure phrase can act as the predicate directly without 是.
Covering Space: 到处
到处 (dào chù) means everywhere or in all places. It defines spatial scope, showing that an action happens across many locations or that something exists throughout a whole area. In natural Chinese, a location word or topic usually appears at the start of the clause, followed by 到处, and very frequently paired with 都 (dōu) before the verb to reinforce completeness.
春天来了，公园里到处都是花。
到处 pairs naturally with 都 before 是 to show full spatial coverage inside the park.
Clear Only-Constructions and Context
A useful clear model is 办公室里只有张经理一个人 or 办公室里就张经理一个人. More compressed versions with 只 before a noun can occur, depending on context and style. Compare the examples without treating every noun after 只 as an error. Also note that a numerical predicate can follow 只 directly, as in 只五块钱.
办公室里只张经理一个人。
A compressed only-construction, understandable in context, with an unstated existential predicate. 办公室里只有张经理一个人 or 办公室里就张经理一个人 is a clearer everyday model. Do not infer that 只 can never precede a noun.
办公室里就张经理一个人。
就 directly precedes 张经理一个人 to emphasize that he is the only person present.
Frequently asked questions
Why does the syllabus write 就3 instead of just 就?
The number separates entries for the same written word; it is not pronounced. The supplied page lists 就3 under scope adverbs. Here we teach the restrictive only-use in the examples, without claiming that the table provides a complete numbered dictionary definition.
Can I use 一块儿 instead of 一共 when adding up money?
In casual speech, some speakers say 合在一块儿 (combined together), but as standalone adverbs before a total number, use 一共 for mathematical sums and prices, and keep 一块儿 for people doing activities together.
Can 只是 also mean 'however' or 'but'?
Yes, in longer sentences 只是 can act like a mild conjunction meaning 'it is just that / however'. Within the HSK 3 adverbs of scope category, however, its core function is the pre-verbal adverb meaning 'merely' or 'simply'.
