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.