Ideographic: Simple words 八 coming from the mouth 口Radical:

meaning for zhǐ:

  • - only
  • - merely
  • - just
  • - but

meaning for zhī:

  • - classifier for birds and certain animals, one of a pair, some utensils, vessels etc

sān
zhǐ
xiǎomāo小猫
zài
wánshuǎ玩耍

Three kittens are playing


zhè
shì
zhǐ
gōngjī公鸡

These are four roosters.


zhuōzi桌子
shàng
yǒu
zhǐ
píngguǒ苹果

There are eight apples on the table.


zhǐ
gǒu
hěn
ǎixiǎo矮小
dànshì但是
fēicháng非常
jīngshén精神

That dog is very small, but full of energy.


jīhū几乎
chīròu吃肉
zhǐ
chī
sùshí素食

He hardly eats meat and only eats vegetarian food.