HSK 5 grammar · particle
而已／罢了
…而已 / …罢了 — merely / that's all
Pattern
+ +
+ +
( ) can be left out · other words may come before, between and after
How it works
A sentence-final particle that plays down what came before, meaning 'just…, that's all.' Often reinforced by 只/不过 earlier in the sentence. 而已 is more written and neutral; 罢了 is more colloquial and can add a dismissive or resigned tone.
Examples
我只是随便问问而已，你别多想。
Wǒ zhǐshì suíbiàn wènwen éryǐ, nǐ bié duō xiǎng.
I was just asking casually, that's all; don't read into it.
这不过是个小误会罢了。
Zhè búguò shì ge xiǎo wùhuì bàle.
This is merely a small misunderstanding, nothing more.
Related
See it in a story
In the app, 而已／罢了 is underlined wherever it appears in the stories you read, and practised with sentences from them. Free.