This is the 111th most frequent Japanese word.
ただ
"ただ" means "just," "only," or "free of charge" in English, depending on context.
In this usage, 'ただ' works as a conjunction meaning 'but', introducing a contrasting point.
彼の話は面白い、ただ、ちょっと長い。
His story is interesting, but just a bit long.
In this sentence, 'ただ' is used to emphasize 'only just' or 'just now', indicating the immediacy of the action.
ただ今家に戻りました。
I just returned home.
Here, 'ただ' means 'free of charge', referring to the fact that something does not require any payment.