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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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