只有 (zhǐ yǒu) — (conjunction) only if, only when (used with 才 to indicate a necessary condition)
Definition
只有 introduces a necessary condition and pairs with 才 for the result: 'only if …, then …'. It states the condition itself, unlike 除非 which negates an exception ('unless').
conjunction
only ifonly when (used with 才 to indicate a necessary condition)
Examples
- 只有，。zhǐ yǒu Nǔ lì xué xí, cái néng qǔ dé hǎo chéng jì.Only by studying hard can you get good grades.
- 只有，。zhǐ yǒu Nǐ qīn zì lái, wǒ cái huì xiāng xìn.Only if you come in person will I believe it.
- 只有，。zhǐ yǒu Jiān chí duàn liàn, cái néng bǎo chí jiàn kāng.Only by persisting in exercise can you stay healthy.
Grammar
Appears in
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