questions about только and просто

[russian_guy]

i get confused all the time with the words просто and только
my russian friends tried explaining but i still dont get it i mean they say просто is eay or just where as только is only.
can anyone help?

[roxanasharie]

Let's start with primary meanings of these words.

Просто - means "simply", or "simple". Here are 2 examples:
Это просто - this is simple
Я просто хочу поговорить - I simply want to talk
(very similar to the English meaning and usage)

Только - means "only" or "just". For example:
Я только посмотрю - I'll just take a look (nothing else, just look, no touch or smth)
Он ест только овощи - he only eats vegetables (and nothing else)

Sometimes "просто" and "только" can be interchangeable, for example:
Я только посмотрю - I'll just take a look
Я просто посмотрю - I'll simply take a look
But isn't it the same in English?

Oh, here's one more thing about "только". It can also mean "just" in reference to time. In this case it's usually translated as "have just" or "has just" in English. For ex:

Я только приехала - I have just arrived
Он только закончил - he has just finished

Did it help? Tell me if it's still not clear, I'll try to come up with a better explanation.

[russian_guy]

it helped tons thank you so much i understand way more clearly see i was told by many people that просто meant just and только meant only but только что meant just, so i was confused. but this helps so much thanks