Difference between revisions of "Expressing "only if" with "zhiyou""
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== Examples == | == Examples == |
Revision as of 13:53, 24 July 2019
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Level
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Similar to
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Used for
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Keywords
只有 (zhǐyǒu) means "only if," and is used with 才 (cái) to emphasize that only one course of action will bring about the desired outcome.
Structure
只有 + Essential Condition + 才 + Desired Outcome
Note that 才 is often followed by 能, but not always.
Examples
- 只有 努力 才 能 做 好 工作。Only if you work hard is it possible to do a good job.
- 只有 多 吃饭 才 能 长高。Only if you eat more will you be able to grow tall.
- 只有 多 说,你的中文 才 会 提高。Only if you speak more will your Chinese improve.
- 只有 大家 一起 做 才 能 成功。Only if everyone works together can we succeed.
- 只有 写 完 你的 作业 才 能 看 电视。Only if you finish your homework can you watch TV.
- 只有 妈妈 在 我们 才 能 出去 玩。 Only if Mom is here can we go out and play.
- 只有 每天 跑步,你的 身体 才 会 健康。Only if you go running every day can you have a healthy body.
- 只有 老板 同意 这个 建议,我们 才 能 做。We can only do this if the boss agrees with the suggestion.
- 只有 你 吃 过 了,你 才 能 说 好 不 好吃。You can only tell if it's good or not if you have eaten it before.
- 只有 学习 了 拼音,你 才 能 更 好 地 学 汉字。Only if you have learned pinyin can you learn Chinese characters better.
See also
Sources and further reading
Books
- HSK Standard Course 3 (pp. 172) Anything Goes (无所不谈) →buy
- New Practical Chinese Reader 4 (新实用汉语课本4) (pp. 42) Anything Goes (无所不谈) →buy
- 卓越汉语-公司实战篇 (pp. 113) 卓越汉语-公司实战篇 →buy
- 40 Lessons for Basic Chinese Course (基础汉语40课下册) (pp. 516) [ →buy]
Websites
- Yale Chinese Usage Dictionary 只 and 只有