FR / EN

只有

HSK 3

zhǐyǒu

provided that

Alternative translations

  • seulement

Explanation

(used in combination with 才[cai2]) it is only if ... (that one can ...) (as in 只有通過治療才能痊愈|只有通过治疗才能痊愈[zhi3 you3 tong1 guo4 zhi4 liao2 cai2 neng2 quan2 yu4] "the only way to cure it is with therapy"); it is only (someone) who ... (as in 只有男性才有此需要[zhi3 you3 nan2 xing4 cai2 you3 ci3 xu1 yao4] "only men would have such a requirement"); (used to express lack of alternatives) can only; have no choice but to (as in 只有屈服[zhi3 you3 qu1 fu2] "the only thing you can do is give in")

Examples

只有努力工作才能成功。

zhǐyǒu nǔlì gōngzuò cái néng chénggōng.

It can only be achieved through hard work.

只有男性才有此需要。

zhǐyǒu nánxìng cai yǒu cǐ xūyào.

It is only men who have this need.