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Conditional StatementsHSK 5

Expressing "only if" with 只有

To express 'only if', place 只有 before the essential condition and follow it with 才 to introduce the result. The adverb 能 or 会 often appears after 才, but the pattern can also work with just 才.

Structure

只有 + Condition + 才 (+ 能 / 会) + Result
能 or 会 are often used after 才, but not required.

Examples

  • 只有努力才能做好工作。
    Zhǐ yǒu nǔ lì cái néng zuò hǎo gōng zuò.
    Only if you work hard is it possible to do a good job.
  • 只有多说，你的中文才会提高。
    Zhǐ yǒu duō shuō, nǐ de zhōng wén cái huì tí gāo.
    Only if you speak more will your Chinese improve.
  • 只有写完你的作业才能看电视。
    Zhǐ yǒu xiě wán nǐ de zuò yè cái néng kàn diàn shì.
    Only if you finish your homework can you watch TV.
  • 只有每天跑步，你的身体才会健康。
    Zhǐ yǒu měi tiān pǎo bù, nǐ de shēn tǐ cái huì jiàn kāng.
    Only if you go running every day can you have a healthy body.
  • 只有你吃过了，你才能说好不好吃。
    Zhǐ yǒu nǐ chī guò le, nǐ cái néng shuō hǎo bu hǎo chī.
    You can only tell if it's good or not if you have eaten it before.

Words that use this