simply

Compared meaning: in a simple, clear way (adverb).

比较义项：以简单、清楚的方式（做事或表达）（副词）。

• simply 本词

  Highlights lack of complexity — making something uncomplicated or easy to do or understand; also common for a plain, unadorned style or lifestyle (dress simply, live simply).

  强调不复杂——让事情容易做或容易理解；也常用于朴素、不加修饰的风格或生活方式，例如穿着朴素、生活简朴。

  They chose to live simply, with few possessions and expenses.

  他们选择过简朴的生活，几乎没有什么财物和开支。

• plainly

  Stresses clarity and directness, often about speech that is easy to make out or understand fully; typically used when someone should be heard or understood without confusion.

  强调清楚、直接，常指说话清楚到能被完全听清或理解；多用于希望别人能听清或理解无误的场合。

  Speak plainly so the whole audience can hear every word.

  请讲得清楚一些，好让全体听众都能听清每一个字。

Both words describe something done in a simple, clear way. Simply stresses lack of complexity, used for style or explanations, as in 'dress simply.' Plainly stresses clarity and directness, often about speech that is easy to understand. Simply can also mean 'only,' not compared here.

这两个词都表示做事或表达的方式不复杂、容易理解，但侧重点不同：simply 更强调“简单、不复杂”，适用范围较广，可用于穿着、生活方式或解释说明；plainly 更强调“清楚、直接”，常用于说话或陈述，并带有坦率的意味。此外，simply 也常表示“仅仅、只是”这一义项，这里不作比较；plainly 也可表示“显然地”这一义项，这里同样不作比较。

Compared meaning: only, merely, nothing more than this (adverb).

比较义项：仅仅，只是（副词）。

• but

  In this sense but is formal and literary, meaning 'only' or 'merely'; it appears mostly in fixed phrases and old-fashioned writing, rarely in everyday speech.

  在这个意义上，but 十分正式、书面化，相当于“仅仅”“只是”，多见于固定搭配和老式书面语中，日常口语里很少这样用。

  He is but a child, and cannot be blamed for this.

  他不过是个孩子，不能因此责怪他。

• just

  Just is the most common, neutral, everyday way to say 'only'; it is casual and fits ordinary conversation and writing of any register.

  just 是表达“仅仅”最常见、最中性的说法，语气随意，适用于任何场合的日常口语和书面语。

  I just need five more minutes to finish this email.

  我只需要再花五分钟就能写完这封邮件。

• simply 本词

  Simply adds emphasis, presenting the limitation in a plain, direct way, and can even shade into 'completely'; here it stresses how plainly true the fact is.

  simply 带有强调意味，把这种“仅仅”表达得更加干脆、直接，有时还可以带有“完全”的语气；这里强调事实的单纯明显。

  She simply refuses to apologize, no matter what anyone says.

  不管别人说什么，她就是不肯道歉。

• only

  Only is the most basic, general, and frequent word for this meaning, used freely in both speech and writing, with flexible position in the sentence.

  only 是表达这个意义最基本、最通用、最常见的词，口语和书面语中都自由使用，在句中的位置也很灵活。

  I only wanted a small slice of cake, not the whole thing.

  我只是想要一小块蛋糕，不是整个蛋糕。

But, just, only, and simply can all mean 'only', but usage differs. But is formal and literary here, rare in speech. Just and only are the most common, natural in speech and writing. Simply is stronger and more direct. But's meaning 'however' is not compared.

这几个词在“仅仅、只是”这一意义上相近，但语气和使用场合不同：but 在此义项下非常正式、书面化，现代口语中很少见；just 和 only 最常用、最口语化，可自由用于书面语和口语；simply 语气更强调、更加直接。这里不比较 but 用作转折连词（意为“但是”）的用法。