只有……才……

Only if … then …

HSK 4 · 4 examples

Speed

只有 marks the one necessary condition and 才 says the result is possible only under it. It is much stricter than 只要.

Compare: 只要有时间我就去 (having time is enough) with 只有他同意，我们才能去 (his agreement is required).

Examples

，。

Only if you work hard can you succeed.

，。

The contract takes effect only when he signs it.

。

This door can only be opened with a card.

，。

You have to go there yourself to know how beautiful it is.

All 24 words used in the examples above — tap any word in an example to look it up in place. Words above this level are marked new .

只有zhǐ yǒuHSK 3only have ...; there is only ...; (used in combination with 才) it is only if one ... (that one can ...) (Example: 只有通过治疗才能痊愈 "the only way to cure it is with therapy"); it is only ... (who ...) (Example: 要 "only men would have such a requirement"); (used to indicate that one has no alternative) one can only (do a certain thing) (Example: 服 "the only thing you can do is give in")
你nǐHSK 1you, second person pronoun
努力nǔ lìHSK 2to make an effort; to try hard; to strive; hard-working; conscientious
才能cái néngHSK 3talent; ability; capacity
成功chéng gōngHSK 3success; to succeed
他tāHSK 1other, another; he, she, it
签字qiān zìnewto sign (one's name); signature
合同hé tongHSK 4(business) contract
生效shēng xiàonewto take effect; to go into effect
这zhèHSK 1this, the, here
个gèHSK 1numerary adjunct, piece; single
门ménHSK 1gate, door, entrance, opening
用yòngHSK 1use, employ, apply, operate; use
卡kǎHSK 2card, punch card; calorie
打开dǎ kāiHSK 1to open; to show (a ticket); to turn on; to switch on
亲自qīn zìHSK 3personally; in person; oneself
去qùHSK 1go away, leave, depart
过guòHSK 1pass, pass through, go across
才cáiHSK 2talent, ability; just, only
知道zhī dàoHSK 1to know; to become aware of; also pr. [zhī dao]
那里nà liHSK 1there; that place
有yǒuHSK 1have, own, possess; exist
多duōHSK 1much, many; more than, over
美měiHSK 3beautiful, pretty; pleasing