耳

• Anatomical: The ear. By extension, used metonymically for the act of listening, hearing, or the capacity for obedience.
• Technical: Handles of a vessel (e.g., cauldrons or vases).

• Final Particle: When appearing at the end of a phrase or sentence, it functions as a particle of limitation or emphasis ("merely," "only," "that is all," or "simply"), defining the preceding statement as the full extent of the matter.

• While semantically similar to 止 (zhǐ) in its limiting sense, 耳's position in this role is strictly sentence-final.

Distinguish between somatic and grammatical usage based on syntax:

• Medial/Initial position: Generally a noun (ear/handle) or part of a compound related to hearing.
• Final position: Likely the limiting particle.