merely /ˈmɪəlɪ/ CET4 TEM4

• 1. 

  ADV You use merely to emphasize that something is only what you say and not better, more important, or more exciting. 只不过 (用来强调某事物不是很重要或很有价值) [强调]

  例：

  Michael is now merely a good friend.

  迈克尔现在只不过是一个好朋友而已。

  例：

  Francis Watson was far from being merely a furniture expert.

  弗兰西斯·沃森不仅仅是位家具专家。

• 2. 

  ADV You use merely to emphasize that a particular amount or quantity is very small. 仅仅 (用来强调数量之少) [ADV amount] [强调]

  例：

  The brain accounts for merely three percent of body weight.

  大脑仅占体重的3％。

• 3. 

  PHRASE You use not merely before the less important of two contrasting statements, as a way of emphasizing the more important statement. 不仅仅 [强调]

  例：

  The team needs players who want to play for Canada, not merely any country that will have them.

  这个队需要愿意为加拿大比赛的运动员，而不仅仅是愿意为任何一个雇用他们的国家去比赛的运动员。